Demand for total lockdown in Kohima grows

With cases emerging in various colonies in Kohima, KVC writes to CM of Nagaland 
 

Kohima, July 21 (MExN): The Kohima Village Council (KVC) today made an appeal to the Chief Minister of Nagaland for total lockdown in Kohima. 

The Council in a statement issued to the CM expressed that at this juncture, it is deeply concerned that a small state with barely 20 lakh populations is witnessing a rapid rise in COVID-19 cases with more than 774 COVID-19 reported positive cases within a brief span of time. 

“The gravity of our situation is even grimmer in light of the sporadic cases which have emerged in various colonies of Kohima,” it stated. 

“You are well aware that four positive cases have already been reported at Daklane, Kezieke, Jotsoma and now, AG colony. It is likely that more positive cases will be discovered if there is increased testing. This is indeed alarming,” the Council highlighted in their letter.   

Stating that “there is no vaccine and no known medicine for the treatment of COVID-19,” KVC Chairman Dr Neiphi Kire and Secretary Zeneizo Rutsa added, “We also lack proper infrastructure and adequate facilities to manage the cases. To further compound our misery, we, the public, do not follow simple but effective general preventive measures such as wearing masks, maintaining social distancing, sanitization etc. All these factors make the scenario ripe for impending disaster and community spread in Kohima.”

“Under the circumstances,” the KVC urged “the Government to immediately impose total lockdown for two weeks to prevent the virus from spreading and break the chain of infection.”

Meanwhile, the KVC has thanked the Government of Nagaland for taking the right decision in responding favorably to their representation and consequently evolving a pragmatic Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the entire state. 

“We believe this has decongested the oversaturated quarantine centers at both Kohima and Dimapur to a great extent. This decision has also brought great relief to our overburdened frontline workers and also significantly mitigated the risk of infection and community spread to the residents of Kohima,” it stated.

The Council also extended solidarity and appreciation to the frontline workers for risking their personal safety for the common welfare of the community. The Council resolves to stand by the government in combating the challenges of this pandemic in the difficult days ahead.