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Our Correspondent
Kohima, March 4 (EMN): The government of Nagaland has rubbished rumours that have been doing rounds on social media about a woman, who allegedly returned from China, being tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) at Naga Hospital in Kohima. It has confirmed that the state remains coronavirus-free as on March 4.
The minister for Health and Family Welfare (H&FW), S Pangnyu Phom, took to social media on Wednesday to refute the fake news.
‘Some rumours are spreading regarding admission of COVID19 patient in NHAK. Please stand verified that the news feed is absolutely false and baseless. The department is monitoring the situation closely and shall inform the citizens on any developments,’ Phom tweeted on Wednesday.
The directorate of H&FW has also issued a bulletin informing the public that reports of a coronavirus-infected person being supposedly admitted to Naga Hospital in Kohima, which has gone viral in the social media, is “absolutely false”. “Till date, the state is yet to encounter any suspect case and send any sample for confirmation for COVID-19.”
“In this regard, the department appeals to the public to refrain from posting false and fabricated information in relation to COVID-19 in social media,” it added.
Speaking to Eastern Mirror, the state nodal officer for Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and deputy director of H&FW, Dr. Nayanthung Kikon, out-rightly refuted the rumours. “It is not true. It is false,” he said.
The managing director of NHAK also clarified: “This is to inform all the concerned that circulation that a CONVID-19 patient has been admitted at isolation ward Naga Hospital Kohima is false and should be treated as fake news.”
H&FW’s update on the status of coronavirus in Nagaland
AYO extends unconditional support
The Angami Youth Organisation (AYO) has expressed extreme concern over the outbreak of the novel coronavirus that has spread to India including New Delhi, which is home to thousands of Nagas. While urging the state government and the concerned departments to initiate all necessary preventive measures, it has offered its “unconditional support” to fight the virus.
The organisation issued a press release on Wednesday stating that the outbreak would have a devastating and irrevocable effect on the people if it reaches Nagaland. It has appealed to the government to take all precautionary measures including restricting issuance of permits to foreign tourists from countries affected by the novel coronavirus till such time the virus is fully contained and mandatory screening of passengers at the airport.
“Modalities should also be worked out to detect or restrict railway, ISBT and taxi passengers by detailing specialised medical personnel in all transit check-points before entering the state,” the press release read. It also suggested that widespread sensitisation on coronavirus is carried out across the state, including far-flung villages, and ensure that the concerned government departments are equipped with required machineries, infrastructure and medicines for combating the virus.