Home testing kits users advised to share status
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 30 2021: Informing that the government has approved use of home testing kits for Covid-19 and it will trace the users, Health Services director Dr K Rajo cautioned that any person who fails to submit reports of using the kits will face stringent action from the government.

Addressing a press meet at the Medical Directorate's Lamphelpat office here on Friday, Dr Rajo said that registered pharmacy shops are allowed to sell home testing kits of Covid-19 approved by ICMR and they are required to submit details of buyers such as their names, addresses and phone numbers.

At the same time, the users should download home testing mobile app in their smartphones and submit the result of their tests through the app.

The government will also track all the buyers of home testing kits and stringent actions will be taken up against users if they keep their result hidden.

Keeping in view of the increasing number of Covid cases in the state, a new Covid Care Centre (CCC) with 300 beds will be set up at NIT.

At present, 28 CCCs with a total bed capacity of 3206 are functioning in the state.

Apart from the CCCs, there are around 150 CHICs across the 16 districts.

Moreover, the government allows opening of CHICs in local community halls, club buildings and school buildings in consultation with local MLAs in case the number of new cases increases further, he said.

Dr Rajo pointed out that Covid cases are higher in rural areas of the state.

In Imphal West, 73 per cent of the new cases are detected in rural areas and it is 79 per cent in Imphal East.

People in urban areas could be seen observing Covid relevant SOPs but such appropriate behaviour is being followed in rural pockets, which is a matter of grave concern, he said, while urging the public to adhere to the prescribed SOP.

In the last 10 days, Imphal West in valley areas and Churachandpur in hill areas recorded highest number of new cases.

On the other hand, the government has started providing meals to all the inmates in CCCs and CHICs in order to prevent contact between the infected and the non-infected populations.

Process of mass testing is also being taken up, he said.

Regarding vaccination, Dr Rajo said that inoculation rate is below 30 per cent in Kamjong, Ukhrul, Senapati and Tamenglong districts and the main reason is myths and rumours against the vaccine being administered to tackle Covid-19.Nevertheless, efforts are on to accelerate the vaccination process through mass awareness by roping in the help of civil society bodies, he said.

So far, seven cases of Mucormycosis (Black Fungus) have been reported in the state.

Two of them had died and five are undergoing treatment.

The government is taking up every possible measure to control the pandemic and public cooperation is a crucial as it will make the government's initiative effective, he said, while urging the public to adopt Covid appropriate behaviours and observe relevant SOPs strictly.

RIMS deputy MS Dr Nepram Sanjib and officials of state health services also attended the press meet.

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