Deaths being observed disproportionately among the unvaccinated
Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 30
For the 4th consecutive week, Nagaland has reported new COVID-19 cases well below the 150-mark. The state reported 122 new cases for the week (October 23-29), the lowest 7-day tally to date since mid-April.
Almost three quarters of the new cases were detected through voluntary tests. The state Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme’s (IDSP), weekly COVID roundup, released on October 30, informed that 78 were detected through random/self tests, traced contacts- 19, travelers- 19, frontline workers- 5 and security- 1. District-wise, Dimapur reported 65, Kohima- 24, Mokokchung- 16, Phek- 7, Wokha- 5, Zunheboto- 2, Mon- 1, Peren- 1 and Tuensang- 1. It was nil in Longleng and Kiphire.
The sample positivity rate for the week was 2.8 percent. The IDSP added, “The weekly sample positivity rate has remained less than 5 percent for the last 11 weeks. All districts reported weekly positivity rate of less than 5 percent except Wokha (6.6 percent).”
There were 6 COVID deaths— Dimapur- 2, Mokokchung- 2 and 1 each in Tuensang and Zunheboto.
There was a drop in hospitalisation of COVID patients with the IDSP informing that 22 such cases were reported as opposed to 32 cases the previous week.
A total of 126 recoveries were reported in the same week.
Vaccination plods on
Nagaland was on the brink of reaching the 12-lakh milestone with 11.9 lakh doses of the COVID vaccine administered, as on October 29. However, only 28,912 doses were administered during the week as opposed to 36,904 doses in the preceding week. Moreover, 76,080 persons in Nagaland are overdue for the second dose. Both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are essential for maximum protection, the IDSP noted.
As per the IDSP, 57 percent of the targeted eligible adult population has received at least one dose. Meanwhile, 40 percent of the targeted population has been fully vaccinated.
With hesitancy slowing down pace of vaccination, the IDSP reiterated the efficacy of vaccines. Contrary to the unfounded fear, it said, “COVID-19 Vaccines are highly effective against severe disease and deaths. Deaths are being observed disproportionately among the unvaccinated.”
