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Our Reporter
Dimapur, June 6 (EMN): There has been a significant increase in the number of positive Covid-19 cases in Mokokchung district in the past couple of days, while it reported the highest number among the districts in Nagaland on June 5 with 164 cases.
However, Deputy Commissioner of Mokokchung, Limawabang Jamir clarified that the high count was an ‘accumulation of test results of the last three to four days’ as the test results are sent to Tuensang and Kohima, and it takes a few days for the results to return.
Jamir informed that only two out of four TrueNat RNA extractor machines available in Mokokchung were working. He added that the two damaged TrueNat machines have been sent to Guwahati for repair and it would take a couple of days.
The deputy commissioner stated that even though 164 is an alarming number of positive cases, he reiterated that ‘it is not the reflection of one day result’.
Moreover, he said recently, the district task force Mokokchung conducted an active search and testing exercise of more than 80 individuals who had flu-like symptoms, and ‘quite a number’ have tested positive.
He added that it is ‘quite alarming but it is good that they have done active case search, contact tracing has been done and even primary contact individuals have also been tested.’
The DC added that community surveillance is also going on in every village to curb the spread of Covid-19 to rural areas.
Jamir added that in every village, they are going to activate at least a Covid Care Centre where positive individuals without co-morbid conditions will be kept under the surveillance of the Health department.
He added that a similar exercise of active case search started in Ungma village on Sunday assisted by Accredited Social Health Activists (ashas) and anganwadi workers under the charge of a medical officer. He added that it is a ‘pro-active step the village has taken to ensure that the Covid spread is under control.’
Jamir further appealed to the citizens not to loiter around and home visitation should be totally curtailed unless it is an emergency. He however added that ‘it is very difficult to convince people’.