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Dimapur, Sep. 13 (EMN): Health authorities in Nagaland have warned citizens not to misconstrue the phased relaxations of restrictions under 'Unlock 4' guidelines as "an improving pandemic situation".
The department of Health and Family Welfare issued an advisory on Sunday stating that there has been a recent surge in the number of cases in Nagaland.
"The positivity rate (percentage of positive test results out of samples tested) had fallen to 4% during August 22 to the 29th, after which it has increased to 6% during August 30 to September 4, which further increased to 11% during September 5 to the 11th.
"Majority of the positive cases are among males (83%) in the age groups 30 to 44 years of age (45%) and 15 to 29 years of age (37%). Most common places of spread are office and household contacts followed by students. Apart from the armed forces, the recent surge was increasingly seen among the younger age group. The department continues to work towards maintaining optimum facilities for management of moderate and severe Covid-19 patients, however, it is imperative that the general public take equal responsibility in adopting and practising preventive and precautionary measures to check the spread of Covid-19 infection," read the advisory.
It urged the citizens to self-report any Covid-like symptoms: fever, cough, difficulty in breathing, loss of smell/taste; and follow the 3Ws (wear mask, wash hands, watch distance) and avoid 3Cs (crowded places, close contact setting and closed and enclosed spaces).
"Adherence to safety protocols in offices, market places, public transport, and maintenance of home quarantine/isolation safety measures are of paramount importance to prevent the spread of infection. Familiarity with colleagues, family members, and friends should not lead to complacency as the infection is mainly spread among known contact persons who may have no symptom.
"Discipline among the young and mobile groups of people in following the safety precautionary measures is important as they are less likely to have symptoms and therefore become less careful but can spread to the high risk individuals (those aged 65 years and above, those with other chronic diseases, and people with weaker immunity)," it stated.
The department reminded that any violation of the government orders on lockdown measures is punishable as per the relevant section of the Disaster Management Act 2005, and the Nagaland Epidemic Disease (Covid-19) Regulations 2020.