Nagaland records 15 deaths, highest Covid-19 cases in October

Eastern Mirror Desk
Dimapur, Oct. 31 (EMN): The month of October reported the highest number of Covid-19 cases as well as deaths in Nagaland, according to Health officials.

The Health department’s weekly bulletin reported that October also witnessed an increase in ICU admissions by five times.

There were 15 deaths this month; 73% from Dimapur and 60% of the victims were below 60 years of age. “Hypertension and diabetes are the most common associated co-morbidities. This is alarming due to the high prevalence of non-communicable diseases (hypertension, diabetes, heart diseases) in the state.

“509 cases were reported in the past week out of which 60% are traced contacts. 57% of all cases in October are from traced contacts. The percentage of traced contacts was only 7% in July,” it stated.

According to the department, the sample positivity rate declined this week but it remains higher than the national average.

“The high positivity rate among the 21-40 years is alarming. The uncontrolled spread among these age groups poses an increased risk in the higher age groups. There is a 1% increase in cases among 61-98 years age group in the past one week.

“52% of traced contacts are in the 21-40 years age group which poses high risk to the older age groups. These age groups are expected to follow all safety measures and strictly avoid social events and gatherings,” it added.

The department reiterated that close contact settings (household, offices, restaurants, prison, church, old age home etc.) are seeing more and more infections.

“Household (28%) and offices (23%) continue to be the most common places. Fever (77%), cough (48%) and shortness of breath are the most common reported symptoms. Infections in people with co-morbidities (0.73%) are slowly increasing. Recovery has crossed 80% among the confirmed cases,” it added.