KOHIMA, MAY 10 (MExN): The Directorate of Health and Family Welfare has appealed to travelers and COVID-19 patients to cooperate with the health and frontline authorities, and provide correct information in order to help stop the spread of the virus.
A press release from Dr Imkongtemsu Longchar, Deputy Director, IEC Bureau, Directorate of Health and Family Welfare expressed concern that some travelers are found to be giving wrong personal information (phone number, age, address) at point of entry and to the contact tracing teams which adversely affect the surveillance activities to check the transmission of COVID-19.
The press release further informed that some people who already tested positive are found to be running from one laboratory to another for a “retest/confirmation” endangering the community in the process.
“A positive by any COVID-19 Test (RT-PCR, TrueNat and RAT) is a 100% confirmed positive anywhere in the world. However, there can be false negative tests depending on the sensitivity of the test and the timing of sampling. Such persons are therefore advised to undergo home isolation or get admitted in private hospital or Government health institution depending upon his/her medical condition,” it was informed.
Further, the Village Councils/Urban Local Bodies under the supervision of DTFs have been requested to continue to monitor strict adherence to quarantine norms and to report immediately to the local administrative officers/DTF for taking suitable action for any breach of quarantine norms.
It was further cautioned that any person who is tested positive of COVID-19 or is found to be a close contact and not cooperating with the surveillance teams or not providing information or providing wrong/false information would be liable to legal action. If such persons are found withholding information for the purpose of contact tracing or refusal for COVID-19 testing by any traced as close contact or found indulging in practices endangering the community, shall be liable for punishment.
