Scaling up preparedness efforts in response to Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the department of health and family welfare (H&FW) Monday said that training of trainers would be conducted on March 11, 2020 followed by district level training, which would be completed within 10 days.
Interacting with media persons here on Monday, the principal director H&FW, Dr. Vizolie Z Suokhrie, said 245 persons with travel history to China and affected countries were under surveillance as of March 8, 2020. He said that currently five people were placed under home quarantine while also 24×7 helpline numbers was operational.
Stating that travel history of the travellers had been updated to surveillance unit, Dr. Suokhrie said the surveillance system was working well in the state.
So far, he said no samples have been sent for testing from the state. The principal director also informed that state has put in place all preparedness and control measures as per the directive/guidelines and standard operating protocols of the ministry of health and family welfare.
Dr. Suokhrie also said that the state has strengthened all surveillance and control measures against the possible spread of the disease, adding that if needed more efforts and activities would be carried out. He informed that state public health centre with command centre has been operationalised since January 28, 2020. The principal director said that regular meeting and situation updates have been undertaken by the chief minister, health minister and chief secretary.
Dr. Suokhrie also said that district task force headed by deputy commissioner had been formed in all the districts. Besides, he said district surveillance and rapid response teams were on maximum alert. According to the principal director, a total of 60 beds in isolation wards of the public/military hospitals across the states have been identified and placed ready.
Further, Dr.Suokhrie said personal protection equipment, N95 masks and hand-held thermal screeners have been dispatched and all logistics for sample collection, transportation and case management were put in place.
He said that universal screening of all passengers arriving at Dimapur airport began since February 7, 2020 and screening of passengers started since January 30. Stating that the central government has withdrawn the visas for the tourists coming from affected countries, the principal director said the state government, if needed, would restrict the visit of tourists. He, however, added that the flow of tourist has reduced to a large extent.
Further, Dr. Suokhrie said that the railways authority was also making arrangements to check the travellers.
Informing that personal hygiene can protect from any types of influenza, he said that the department was contemplating involving the faith-based organization to create awareness.
Nodal officer for COVID-19 Dr. Nyan Kikon called for working in coordination with the fourth estate to provide accurate information to avoid all kind of misinformation.