State has passed 2nd wave peak: CS

June 23, 2021 59 Views No Comment

State govt to step up vaccination drive
Over 600 vaccination sites opened
Out of 13 lakh target, 4 lakh already inoculated
Sufficient availability of oxygen-supported beds and ICU beds

Correspondent KOHIMA, JUN 23 (NPN) : With the decline in positivity rate, chief secretary J Alam has asserted that the peak of second wave of Covid-19 was over in Nagaland, though he remarked that the State was “not out of the woods yet” and hence the government was closely monitoring the situation.

Interacting with a section of media persons at State Level War Room (SLWR) here on Tuesday afternoon, Alam said “We feel we have passed the peak of the second wave and the positivity rate is declining. Of course, we are not out of the woods yet and hence we’re closely monitoring the situation.”

He appreciated private hospitals for coming forward in treating Covid-19 patients during the height of second wave, besides lauding district task forces (DTFs), healthcare workers, NGOs, faith-based organisations and the public for their cooperation because of which, he said, the second wave could be contained.

Step up vaccination: Priority Alam said the main focus now was on vaccination and claimed that all efforts were on to increase the speed of vaccination, while appealing to all citizens to take the vaccine when their time comes.

He claimed that vaccination has proved to be the most effective weapon in the fight against the virus and urged the citizens not to hesitate to inoculate themselves.

Alam admitted that there was some hesitancy initially, but remarked that vaccination had increased over the past many days and mentioned that three villages in Tuensang and Mokokchung have achieved 100% vaccination, while many villages were responding well through the outreach programme.

Going by the current vaccination rate, he exuded confidence that the vaccination target would be achieved in the next three to four months.

He revealed that the vaccination target was 13 lakh individuals, out of which four lakh had already taken the jab. He said the remaining numbers would be covered as more than 600 vaccination sites have been opened, adding that several measures were being initiated to speed up the vaccination drive.

Lockdown helped contain spread of the virus: Claiming that timely decision on enforcing lockdown helped the State to contain spread of Covid-19, Alam admitted that there were challenges in the month of May over oxygen supply and ensuring availability of oxygen cylinders and concentrators in all districts.

However, he commented that, with timely intervention, the State did not face any shortage of oxygen. He said even bed availability, both oxygen-supported beds and ICU beds, was comfortable now.

Sharing details on the activities of the war room, Alam said, following the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic hitting the country and the rapid surge in cases, the war room was reactivated with the chief secretary as its chairperson on April 21.

He also explained the role of that SLWR — ensuring adequate availability of medical oxygen for both private and public in the State; ensuring availability of ICU beds, oxygen supported bed and COVID care centre beds; ensuring effective quarantine and home isolation; timely transportation of critical medical equipment; overseeing quality management for COVID cases in government hospitals; grievance redressal; community surveillance in both rural and peri- urban areas and IEC through infographics and various social media.

Principal secretary, home, Abhijit Sinha, who too was present, claimed that the peak of the second wave was over and now, as in rest of the country, the main focus was on vaccination to prevent further waves.

Further, Sinha asserted that the number of tests would not be decreased as those individuals carrying the virus would be missed out, while all major decisions were taken based on the positivity rate. Therefore, anybody who came in contact with an infected person or with symptoms should not hesitate to undergo test, he reasoned.

Also addressing the media, Health department (IDSP) deputy director Dr Nyan Kikon said, owing to shift of the disease from urban to rural areas, certain systemic and structural guidelines had been issued by the war room for carrying out aggressive surveillance up to the village level by involving healthcare functionaries at the grassroots level, including the community. He said the positivity rate was 8.3% as on Tuesday.

Source: http://www.nagalandpost.com/state-has-passed-2nd-wave-peak-cs/235357.html