17 more test positive to take tally to 1092
Over 45,000 samples tested, no backlog
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, June 26 2020: So far, over 45,000 samples have been tested for COVID-19 in the State and there are no backlog samples.

Now test results will also very soon after the test is conducted.

On the other hand, the number of positive cases has gone up to 1092, with 17 samples testing positive today at RIMS.

The positive cases include 11 from Imphal West, four from Ukhrul, one from Kakching and four from Thoubal.

Of the four infected at Thoubal one is engaged in catering food to a quarantine centre at Thoubal, said a source and added that he is a Councillor.

Family members of the infected Councillor have been quarantined and they will be tested tomorrow.

Chief Minister N Biren Singh took stock of the COVID-19 situation in the State in a meeting of the COVID-19 Task Force held at the Chief Minister's Secretariat today.

He instructed the officials concerned to concentrate their energy in tackling COVID-19 .

The Chief Minister said that he would be available 24x7 for any issue related to the pandemic.

Health Department officials said during the meeting that over 45,000 samples have been tested at the designated laboratories of RIMS and JNIMS so far, and there is no sample which is awaiting test.

They said that the number of people staying in quarantine centres of different districts has declined considerably.

The officials claimed that test results of people who come by flights can now be provided within a very short time.

Even if more flights land at Imphal after June 28, the returnees would be kept in quarantine centres for one night and their samples would be tested the next day before they are sent home based on their test results, said the officials.

Meanwhile, a train carrying State natives left Bengaluru on June 24 and it is expected to arrive at Jiribam on June 28.In a positive development, the State has witnessed considerable increase in the daily testing capacity in the past one week.

Now, the testing labs in the State can test 2000-2500 samples everyday.

As such, there has been a drastic fall in the number of samples awaiting results.

The State has tested more than 45,000 samples so far and the positivity rate stands at 2.33 % .

Nonetheless, in order to provide prompt care and early treatment to infected persons, the Government is planning to open eight more COVID Care Centres; one each in Senapati, Kangpokpi, Churachandpur, Ukhrul, Tamenglong, two more in Imphal West and one in Thoubal soon apart from the existing COVID Care Centres opened at RIMS, JNIMS, UNACCO School and Bishnupur District Hospital.

393 persons have recovered from the disease as on June 26 and the recovery rate of the State is 36.55%.Of the total 1056 total positive cases detected till June 25, 529 are returnees from Delhi.

Major chunk of the positive cases (921 out of the 1056 cases) are in the age group of 19 to 49 years.

Tamenglong district has the highest number of active cases as on June 25 with 137 cases.

Meanwhile, a four-member COVID Admission Committee has been formed with the Health Services Director as Chairman to ensure that all the COVID-19 positive persons are attended to promptly and accommodated in suitable COVID Hospitals or COVID Care Centres.

An order to this effect was issued by Principal Secretary (Health) on June 24.Symptomatic persons would be admitted to RIMS or JNIMS as per allocated districts.

Medical Superintendents of RIMS and JNIMS would ensure that some spare beds are always available for such symptomatic persons and CMOs would coordinate with the COVID Admission Committee whenever required.

The Committee would monitor the occupancy and vacancy position at each COVID-19 Hospital and COVID Care Centres.

The Medical Superintendents or in-charge of hospitals and COVID Care Centres would provide updated report regularly to the Committee.

All the CMOs would approach the Committee to ensure that COVID-19 positive cases are admitted to appropriate centres promptly and smoothly and the Chairman of the Committee would put in place a mechanism to ensure that admission requirements are handled smoothly round the clock.

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