No coronavirus case yet; state govt to implement Epidemic Disease Act

Altogether 2,889 people have been screened in Nagaland for the deadly coronavirus (COVID-19), following which two persons have been put under home quarantine, while 108 were under surveillance. 

However, there has been no confirmed case of the deadly virus so far.  This was stated by health & family welfare (H&FW) principal director Dr Vizolie Z Suokhrie during a press conference held at his office chamber here on Monday evening.  

Mentioning that the State government was also all set to implement the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, Suokhrie explained that the Act would enable the government to initiate action against those not cooperating with its directives.

He said 66 isolation beds had been identified in all districts, while 14 ventilators had been kept ready. 

He informed newsmen that two quarantine centres had been identified each in Kohima, Dimapur and Tuensang districts, adding that process was on in identifying quarantine centres in all the districts.

Mentioning that private nursing homes too had been notified to identify isolation beds and remain alert for any exigencies, Suokhrie claimed the entire State machinery was geared up and prepared to meet any eventuality. 

He said the police, disaster management, rural development (SHGs), school education, food & civil supplies and Central forces had been asked to scale up awareness in all interior areas of the State.

With a huge number of students returning home following outbreak of the disease, Suokhrie appealed to them, including those returning from affected countries/States, to reach out at the helpline number so that they could be assisted.

The project director admitted that it was a big challenge for the H&FW department to screen passengers boarding and alighting at Dimapur railway station because of their sheer number and multiple entry and exit points. 

He, however, claimed that the department was working closely with the railway authority and was urging travellers to contact the helpline if they had arrived from any of the affected countries.

Suokhrie said though the State did not have a laboratory to conduct tests for COVID-19, blood samples for the purpose could be sent to Dribrugarh, Guwahati or Imphal and tests done within six hours. He said vehicles were kept ready to ensure that no blood test report got delayed.

 He assured that necessary measures would be taken up in areas along the international border to prevent the pandemic from entering the State.

On refusal of some private schools to shut down, he asserted that it was a government order for the safety of all and the school authorities were expected to abide by it.

He said doctors, nurses, medical attendants and even sweepers had been alerted, even as training programmes would be organised in all districts covering the police personnel, health workers, SHG members and others.

State nodal officer for COVID-19 Dr Nyan Kikon and deputy director Dr. Kika Longkumer were also present at the press briefing. Dr. Nyan said pamphlets for awareness had been translated into local dialects and would be distributed very soon. He said more consignments of personal protection equipments were expected within the next few days.

Kohima schools exercise caution: With the threat of COVID-19 looming large, this correspondent visited some schools in the State Capital to find out the measures taken by the school authorities to keep the students safe. 

Northfield School chairman Peluopfhelie Kesiezie claimed the school had been keeping a close check on students for cough, fever or even a mild sickness and those found were sent back home. He said students and their parents were being advised to take precautionary measures, especially if they showed any symptoms of the virus, even as hand washing facilities had been provided in the school campus. 

Urging the people not to panic but take precautionary measures and face the current crisis with courage and wisdom, Kesiezie assured that the school would comply with the government decision though it could hamper exams and ongoing school curriculum activities. 

Grace School administrator Vikuonyü Belho told Nagaland Post that students with fever and cold were advised to stay away from the school and inform the school authority so that they could be granted leave, but no such case had been reported till date. 

He claimed the students were also taught on personal hygiene and good sanitation practices. He however regretted that though the school authority tried to order hand sanitizers and face masks for the students, these were not available in the market.

Government Middle School, L Khel, head teacher Celine Suokhrie said the school authority had been advising students to keep their hands clean and looked forward to providing handwash and hand sanitizers in the school.

A teacher from Government Primary School, Bayavü said they were giving tips and advice to students on personal hygiene. He said though the school did not have enough funds to provide mask and sanitizers to all students, it was following the advisories of H&FW department and Government of India.