Nagaland records highest ever one-day spike of 333 Covid-19 cases, 15 deaths

 Staff Reporter/Correspondent

Nagaland on Saturday reported the highest ever single-day spike of 333 Covid-19 positive cases since the outbreak of the pandemic last year, pushing the total caseload to nearly 16,000 cases. The department also recorded 15 more deaths from across the State on Saturday taking the death toll to 137 (10 non-Covid). Meanwhile, of the fresh cases, Dimapur recorded 204 cases, 116 in Kohima, six in Mokokchung, four in Mon, one case each in Tuensang, Peren and Longleng, taking the total caseload to 15913. With this, the state currently has 2711 active cases while 19 more patients have recuperated from the dreaded virus. State Health department has also pointed out that the State recorded 1604 positive cases– highest new cases in a single week and 18 deaths– highest death recorded in a single week. According to the department’s weekly bulletin released on Saturday, one superspreader event was reported from a religious event in Mon. It said that a Church revival camp held between April 21-25 turned into a super spreader event in Mon district as 45 persons tested positive out of 69 samples, with a positivity rate of 65%. The department said that testing and contact tracing was still underway, while the district administration has directed all attendees to self-isolate and turn up for testing.

Random sampling shows high positivity rate in Kohima: H&FW

As District Task Force Kohima began stringent implementation of Covid-19 guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), random sampling carried out in Kohima showed high positivity rate of 61%. Random testing were carried out amongst local taxi drivers, shopkeepers and vegetable vendors, where many had tested positive. According to the Health department, out of 122 random samples that were collected from amongst the local taxi drivers 58 returned positive (48% positivity rate) while 70 shopkeepers had tested positive out of 88 samples that were collected (80% positivity). According to official sources, random samples were collected from cluster of shopkeepers including vegetable vendors in P.R Hill and High School area. Sources also informed that more random samples were collected on Saturday from Jail Colony and New Minister Hill area and the results were awaited. It added that testing of all random samples were done through RT-PCR. A massive contact tracing has been launched. Meanwhile, PRO Kohima Police, Talisunep Imchen informed Nagaland Post that around 800 persons have been penalized for violating the Covid SOPs by imposing fine of Rs. 100 till May 7 totalling to Rs. 80,000. He further informed that over 320 drivers were penalized and around Rs. 1 lakh collected as fine during the week. PRO fervently urged the public to cooperate, stay at home and follow all safety guidelines issued by the government fight against the virus.