Nagaland: Sample positivity rate sees sharp spike

Dimapur, Oct. 24 (EMN): According to the Health department’s weekly bulletin (as of October 23), the sample positivity rate of Nagaland is higher than the national rate at 9%. Weekly sample positivity rate has also increased rapidly from 4% in the last week of August to 18% as of this week (highest till date).

“Weekly confirmed cases have increased every week from the 3rd week of September till date. The 832 cases reported this week is the second highest weekly cases reported till date. Of the 832 cases reported this week, 56% were traced contacts from the community,” it reported.

Household contacts (28%) and offices (24%) continue to be the two most common settings where infections happen. “We continue to see uncontrolled spread in closed settings like offices, restaurants, bakeries, religious communities, increasing risk elsewhere,” it stated.

“Among the traced positive contacts, most infections have happened in the 21-40 years age group (52%) with students comprising 17% of the cases. In Europe, more infections were among the young in the summer months. This is being followed by more infections in the old age group currently as the second wave started some weeks back. The young people should be responsible to keep their loved ones and the high-risk groups safe,” it reiterated.

According to the department, increasing positivity among patients attending flu clinics in hospitals is worrying since many of them do not have a history of travel or known contact with a positive case.

“Positivity rate among cases attending flu clinics is 5% (122/2675) in the last two weeks. These cases either had or have symptoms or got tested for travel/ surgery/ medical purposes. They had or have no history of travel or contact with a confirmed case,” it informed.