More children test positive in second wave: Dr Rajo
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 16 2021: Health Director Dr K Rajo has categorically stated that more children have been affected by COVID-19 in the second wave in the State.

Addressing media persons at Lamphelpat, today, the Health Director apprised that 2,661 children tested positive for COVID-19 in the first wave while 12, 322 children have been tested Covid positive till August 15 since the onset of the second wave.

The rate of Covid positivity among the children below J s years in the first and second wave stands at 9.05 and 15.8 percent respectively, he added.

The Health Director further stated that 121 children tested positive for COVID-19 on August 15 .

Continuing that 2 children died of COVID-19 in the first wave and 4 in the second wave so far, Dr Rajo maintained that there is possibility of Covid affecting children more in the third wave.

To avert such a scenario, the State Government is considering procuring personal protective equipment for children, he said.

Maintaining that the result of 400 samples out of 727 samples sent for genome sequencing have returned, the Health Director continued that of the 400 samples, 390 tested positive for the Delta variant.

He further said that 96 samples out of the 423 sent at IBST have also returned.

Of the 96, 95 samples have been confirmed as a case of Delta variant.

Asserting that the rate of Covid testing has increased considerably in the State, Dr Rajo reminded that a mobile testing unit based in RT-PCR CRISPR technology was also launched recently.

The charge of Covid testing at the mobile unit is Rs 450, and Rs 500, in case the person prefers testing at home, he informed.

Continuing that a proposal has been sent to make RT-PCR testing facility available in all districts under Emergency COVID-19 Response Project, the Health Director said that the Ministry concerned, on the other hand, has approved a proposal for establishing TrueNat testing facility in 9 districts of Manipur.

UNICEF donated one RT-PCR testing machine each at RIMS and JNIMS to ramp up testing, he said.

Informing that over 1,500 Covid beds are currently unoccupied at Covid Care Centres, the Health Director urged the people to lodge themselves at CCCs or CHICs, if Covid infected, where better facilities are available instead of isolating themselves at homes.

He further informed that several Covid beds are also vacant at RIMS, JNIMS and district hospitals.

Saying that the rate of Covid positivity is increasing in the State due to ramp up in the testing drive, the Director appealed to the people to go for testing in case they suspect infections to bring down the mortality rate.

Dr Rajo also appealed to all who are undergoing home isolation to properly adhere to the Covid appropriate behaviour.

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