Covid testing and vaccination campaign fruitful, says Nagaland minister

Our Correspondent
Kohima, July 23 (EMN): The sensitisation campaign on Covid-19 testing and vaccination undertaken in Kohima district was fruitful with massive response from the people, said minister for PWD (Housing and Mechanical), Tongpang Ozukum on Friday.

He was briefing the journalists at Kohima DPDB hall following the culmination of review-cum-sensitisation programme carried out by the Kohima District Task Force (DTF).

Ozukum, who is also the minister in-charge of Kohima district for Covid-19, said that things were a little normal during the first wave and people took it seriously, but people took the pandemic lightly in the second wave.

He maintained that Nagaland is way behind other states in terms of testing and vaccination, while the death rate in the state is higher. He added that the government initiated sensitisation campaign in rural areas because of this problem.

He informed that they covered Western Angami, Northern Angami, Southern Angami, Tseminyu and other places including Kohima during the campaign which started on July 16.

The minister exuded hope that the campaign would bring a positive response in terms of testing and vaccination over the next few weeks as various leaders proceed to sensitise the citizens. He also acknowledged the Angami and Rengma apex bodies and all the leaders for good participation during the campaign.

Meanwhile, Advisor for Election and Technical Education, Medo Yhokha said that the team was able to reach out to so many people and stakeholders though it was an exhausting and challenging programme.

He said that even as the campaign came to a close on Friday, the team would try to reach out to the people even in the days to come.

With people expected to come to urban areas as unlocking process has begun and educational institutions are set to reopen, he expressed concern over the possible vulnerable situation and requested everyone to be responsible by following Covid-appropriate behaviour, get tested and take vaccine.

The deputy commissioner of Kohima, Gregory Thejawelie, informed that the campaign, which stressed on following SOP to restore normalcy, was a ‘win-win situation’.

He also expressed hope that the people, who attended the programme, will disseminate information to the citizens.

14.18% positivity rate on Thursday

Meanwhile, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Kohima, Dr. Vezokholu Theyo, updated that the positivity rate in the district last week was above 10% despite low testing. Maintaining that the virus is still lurking, she stressed on the need to break the chain of transmission through following SOPs, early testing, isolation and vaccination.

The official informed that out of 261 persons tested on Thursday, samples of 37 people returned positive for the virus with a positivity rate of 14.18%.

She stated that a total of 1,13, 099 persons, including 93,465 first dose receivers, have been vaccinated in Kohima district. This means vaccination rate in the district stands at 52%.

The CMO also informed that Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) were placed in all the Community Health Centres (CHCS), Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Health and Wellness Centres in the districts and it is free. She urged the people to come forward for test and added that each health centre has been given a target to test 50 samples in a week.

Meanwhile, District Immunisation Officer (DIO), Dr. Rupert, informed that there is a guideline regarding 12 weeks gap between the first and second dose but those travelling abroad were given the second dose early (28 days gap) and vaccination certificate issued.