Itanagar, May 30: The Covid positivity rate in the Itanagar Capital Region has come down since Lockdown was imposed on May 10, but health officials are concerned that positivity rate of primary and secondary contacts is still high at 29.21 per cent despite the fag end of a 3-week Lockdown and sought more time to ramp up measures.
This was revealed during a meeting convened by the Deputy Commissioner Talo Potom with the Health Department which was attended by Director TRIHMS Dr Moji Jini, DMO Dr Mandip Perme, SSO Dr Lobsang Jampa, Dr D Padung Nodal Officer Immunisation and attended by Corporators led by Mayor Tame Phassang, APCC&I, Market welfare Associations and others.
"Since the covid curfew( lockdown) was implemented on 10th May last, we have managed to bring down the positivity rate but the positivity rate of primary and secondary contacts tested through various testing centres, flying squad teams etc  is still 29.21% and hence the department needs lockdown for a few more days for taking more rigorous measures," said the DMO.
Director TRIHMS also appealed people to follow Covid appropriate behaviour while adding that the dedicated Covid hospital might not be able to keep up if pressure mounts further.
"The bed occupancy at DCH Chimpu is currently around 60 plus-minus on an average but if the patient inflow increases, then there are chances that the DCH might not be able to cater to the increasing number of patients.  The State Government  is trying its best to increase and upgrade the health care facilities but the ultimate solution to stop the transmission is to follow COVID appropriate behaviour," Dr Jini said.
The flying squad teams are also giving their best to conduct as many tests as possible but it is seen that the public is reluctant to come forward for testing. If we understand our responsibility and come forward for testing and also follow necessary SOPs like wearing of masks, social distancing etc, we will definitely be able to stop the chain of transmission and the virus will eventually die a natural death, said Dr Jini.
Also highlighting the importance of vaccination, he said  that it has been found that those people who have been vaccinated are less prone to covid infection.  "Even if infected, rate of infection is less in them even though we might have witnessed few deaths of those already vaccinated."
The Health Department will intensify testing and vaccination and will also increase the numbers of testing and vaccination centres in the coming days, said the DMO.
Dr D Padung, Nodal Officer Immunisation while highlighting about the vaccination status informed that till 27th May,  only 41% of 45 years and above have been administered with 1st dose of covid vaccine till now.
Therefore, Household survey would begin with ANM/ASHA/AWWs preparing the list of houses/villages to be covered. Every eligible person of 45 years and above would be listed in HHS from-1 and session sites would be set up at various locations along with regular vaccination centres and beneficiaries would be mobilised accordingly for vaccination. 
Concluding the meeting, the DC sought cooperation of every citizen especially the Corporators for successfully carrying out the measures as planned by the Health Department. He has also appealed the denizens to come forward for testing if they have any symptoms or have come in contact with a positive person. He further informed that the tests conducted  by the flying squad teams are free of cost. 
 Later in a meeting with religious leaders, the DMO and Dr Padung briefed them about the importance of vaccination and testing and why it is was necessary to go for extension of lockdown. The DC also sought their cooperation in successfully implementing the lockdown as well as to contain the virus. 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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