Upper PWD Colony declared ‘containment zone’

Our Correspondent
Kohima, July 4 (EMN): Following detection of an employee from NHAK Covid-19 Hospital for Covid-19 on June 25, the Upper PWD Colony in Kohima, where the frontline worker resides, has been demarcated as ‘containment zone’ by the authority as per the SOP.

Ever since the area was sealed to contain the spread of the infection, the residents of about 120 households have been co-operating well with the authority by remaining indoors. However, it was informed that procuring essential commodities for daily needs has become a problem.

“We are facing some problems regarding going and buying of essential commodities because we cannot go out of the demarcation which is sealed,” said Hokito Jakhalu, general secretary of PWD Panchayat, while speaking to Eastern Mirror.

While some of the affected residents were able to receive essential items through their relatives and friends from other colonies, Jakhalu stated that some residents are facing difficulties in purchasing goods as they don’t have near and dear ones around the city.

After being detected with Covid-19, the employee was admitted to NHAK (now Covid-19 hospital) for treatment. Basing on report, Jakhalu stated that the employee was said to be stable, and the family members and others who came in contact with the patient also tested negative.

When asked how long the upper sector of PWD colony (KMC ward-11) would remain under containment zone, Jakhalu replied that it would be enforced till further notice from the authority.

When contacted, ADC, Kohima, Lithrongla Tongpo Rutsa informed that the specific sector of PWD would be sealed ‘till the contact tracing is completed and samples sent for testing are received’.

According to the directives of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, entry and exit of people would be severely restricted under containment zones, while the movement of people would only be allowed for supply of essential goods and services. Accordingly, containment operations would be scaled down if no secondary positive case of Covid-19 is reported from such zone for at least four weeks after the last confirmed test has been isolated and all his/her contacts are followed up for 28 days.

Meanwhile, it was learned that a team of six medical personnel is stationed at Nagaland PWD office building under the Covid-19 containment zone for medical-related duties.

All the footpaths and other entry and exit points have been sealed with bamboos and other materials, while police personnel are also deployed to enforce the restriction 24/7 around the locality under strict surveillance.

The colony youth organisation under the supervision of Michael Neikha, chairman of Upper PWD Colony Council, and other council members are in constant touch with the authority for assistance in the area, it was informed.