Nodal Officer for Dimapur district to manage COVID-19 activities, Y Kikheto Sema, IAS addressing the press conference at DC’s conference hall on May 31. (Morung Photo)
• Active positive cases down to 49.63%
• Enough beds, oxygen
Morung Express News
Dimapur | May 31
In a breather, the COVID-19 scenario in Dimapur seemed to be improving as the percentage of active positive cases in the district came down to 49.63% which otherwise was more than 60% till 11 days back and ratio of total positive cases detected also came down to 17.24% from 20%.
From January 2021 till date, a total of 30027 tests were conducted in Dimapur out of which 5179 tests returned positive accounting for 17.24%. It may be mentioned that till some weeks back, the ratio of total positive cases detected stood at 20%.
Nodal Officer for Dimapur district to manage COVID-19 activities, Y. Kikheto Sema, IAS informed during a press conference at DC’s conference hall on May 31 that out of the 5049 active COVID-19 positive cases in the state, Dimapur comprised of 2506 cases accounting for 49.63%.
He attributed the decline in active cases to the currently imposed lockdown. “The rate of active cases in Dimapur is declining and the lockdown has paid its dividends,” he maintained. Kikheto also said that the total ratio of positive cases detected standing at 17.24% was still high and emphasized on the need to increase testing facilities. Kikheto expressed the hope that the percentage of detecting positive cases would further decline by the end of the partial lockdown.
Meanwhile, Kikheto further informed that out of the total 21563 positive cases in the state since the start of the pandemic till date, Dimapur had 11,492 cases accounting for 53%.
Beds, oxygen available
Providing further respite to the already tensed COVID situation in Dimapur which at one point of time was grappling with shortage of beds and oxygen, Kikheto said that 375 COVID beds were available in eight hospitals and that only 60%-70% of beds have been occupied. “We still have enough beds,” he said and added that in less than three weeks, Dimapur had been able to create 285 extra beds.
The nodal officer said Dimapur has 4050 oxygen cylinders comprising of both B and D types. Out of the total oxygen cylinders available in the state, Dimapur is using 22% of the total oxygen cylinders, he added.
IHM completed, reserved
The nodal officer further informed that the 110-bedded Covid Care Hospital at IHM, Dimapur is already completed and it is kept on reserve since there were more beds available in different hospitals. However, he informed that additional manpower would be required to man the hospital and added that Team Dimapur was discussing with the Assam Rifles to support IHM with its healthcare workers.
Supplementing him, Chief Medical Officer, Dimapur, Dr Moatemjen informed that redeployment of seven Medical Officers was received on May 31 to man the IHM. He further added that redeployment of doctors and nurses have been received from Mokokchung, Phek and Peren. Redeployment from other districts were under process.
Further, Dr Moatemjen said that authorities were in touch with Dimapur District Hospital Nursing School to release 27 students to perform non-COVID duties.
2231 in home isolation
Out of the total 4364 persons currently under home isolation in the state, Dimapur comprised on 2231 accounting for 51%.
162 in hospital
Till the night of May 30, a total of 236 patients were hospitalized for COVID-19 in the state and out of it, 162 patients are in Dimapur accounting for 68.64%. Kikheto said that during the last few weeks, many patients from other districts had come to Dimapur seeking treatment for COVID related ailments.
Urges public to vaccinate
Stating that 94.5% of currently active positive cases had not received vaccination and only 5.75% were found to have been vaccinated, the nodal officer urged the citizens to get themselves vaccinated against COVID-19 when it is available. He said vaccinated persons were reported to have fast recovery from COVID.
He also informed that out of the 214 COVID deaths reported in Dimapur so far since January 2021, 203 victims were reported to have not been vaccinated while only 11 victims were vaccinated with 1st dose. Kikheto said the vaccinated death rate stood at 5.14% mostly with co-morbidities while non-vaccinated death rate stood at 95.46%. Out of the 214 COVID deaths, male victims consisted of 148 while female victims consisted of 66 reflecting 69% and 31% respectively. Death rate was highest among those 30 years of age and above accounting for 96.70%.
Stating that the data collected so far from hospitals in Dimapur reflected the efficacy of vaccine, Kikheto appealed the citizens to get themselves vaccinated at the earliest. He also urged believers to get vaccinated as advised by General Secretary, NBCC. The nodal officer also cautioned those spreading propaganda about the vaccine and directed the Deputy Commissioner and Commissioner of Police to initiate appropriate action against such persons.
‘Dimapur given preference’
Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur, Rajesh Soundararajan acknowledged the state government for giving preference to the district not only in terms of funds but medical equipments, manpower, oxygen and all other required resources. He also said the extra resources provided to Dimapur was sufficient for the time being.
Team Dimapur website launched
Kikheto informed that Team Dimapur has launched a website www.teamdimapurcovid.com to enable the public to check the status of hospitals, availability of beds and COVID statistics on real-time basis.
Odd-even traffic
Responding to queries from media persons regarding reports of enforcing odd-even number system even on vehicles carrying essential commodities in Dimapur, the Commissioner of Police, Rothihu Tetseo clarified that vehicles carrying essential commodities were exempted. However, he added, “any vehicle on business trip is no more essential.”
The CP informed that many vehicles under exempted category were being misused and urged public for extending their cooperation to the authorities.
Meanwhile, the nodal officer thanked the private hospitals, civil societies, NGOs, churches, believers and individuals for their support, cooperation, contribution in cash and kind and prayers. He said the burden of Team Dimapur has been lightened with their approach.
