We are better prepared for new COVID wave, says Nagaland health official

KOHIMA — Even as health experts in the country have raised alarm over the sharp spike in COVID-19 cases over the past few weeks, Nagaland officials said the state is prepared to handle a possible new wave, with various facilities in place.

Addressing a press conference in Kohima on Saturday, Commissioner and Secretary for Health and Family Welfare, Y Kikheto Sema, said they are monitoring the situation in the state as COVID cases have increased in other parts of the country.

“Although with limited infrastructure, we were able to tackle the first, second and third waves of COVID-19. So with that kind of experience, we are confident to face any eventuality,” he said.

The state government has put in effort to improve infrastructure in the health sector post the pandemic, he said, adding that the fourth wave is not as severe as the previous three.

“This wave is not that serious; so there is no need to panic as far as our state is concerned,” he said.

Since the last positive case was detected on February 11 this year in Nagaland, Sema said an average of 20-30 tests are conducted daily in the state.

Preparedness

As far as the infrastructure in the government health sector is concerned, there are about 97 ICU ventilator beds, 107 ICU beds, 787 oxygen supported beds and 307 normal beds (non-oxygen) are kept in place across the state, it was informed.

In addition to this, about 100 ICU beds have been set up at the Police Complex in Chumoukedima, while the chief minister of Nagaland had launched 10-bed ICU wards in all the districts and the ICU facility at the Naga Hospital Authority Kohima has also been renovated, Sema said, adding that “there is no reason why we can’t tackle any eventuality”.

However, with positive cases being reported in the neighbouring state of Assam, he cautioned that the virus may not be far from Nagaland. Citing the past experience, he emphasised on the need to be vigilant despite no positive cases being reported in the state at present.

He urged the public not to be complacency but take all necessary precautions by following COVID-appropriate behavior. He stressed on the need to focus on the five-fold strategy of ‘test, track, treat, vaccination and COVID-appropriate behaviour’ to avert a possible spike in infection.

On preparedness of the department, he said they have been holding video conferences with medical officials, conducted first mock drill with 85 health units on December 27 last year, while another such exercise will be held on April 10 and 11.

‘We are taking all the precautions, and tests for COVID-19 are being done from time to time,’ Sema said.

Since the first case of the disease was reported in the state on May 25 2020 till March 31 this year, a total of 4,88,819 samples have been tested with 35,988 positive cases (7.36% positivity rate) and 777 fatalities (2.15% death rate), he updated.

With better infrastructure and manpower in place today, he expressed confidence that the state will not face a similar situation if another wave hits.

“We are better prepared; the testing is going on and will continue to do so. Our people are more experienced,” he said, adding that they are in touch with medical officials from both the state and outside who are well-versed on the matter.

The official went on to say that no COVID-related restrictions have been imposed as necessary protocols are followed at the airports for people coming from abroad and that they would take a call if the need arises.

COVID testing

Dr. Nyanthung Kikon, State Nodal Officer for Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, informed that the last COVID positive case in the state was found out through contact tracing.

As per the revised surveillance strategy for testing, which is in place, he said testing for COVID is done only if a person shows symptoms of the disease or has respiratory issues.

‘If a person, who has come into contact with a positive case, shows no signs of the disease, then we do not test but ask them to remain in isolation,’ he said.

Accordingly, the last person detected with COVID-19 symptoms is kept in isolation and medicine like paracetamol is given; and no tests are conducted on the contacts if they do not show any symptom, he added.