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Our Correspondent
Kohima, Feb. 4 (EMN): Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio convened a high-level meeting in Kohima on Tuesday morning to discuss issues concerning the novel coronavirus.
Rio along with his cabinet colleagues, had a meeting with state functionaries led by chief secretary; and the directorate of Health and Family Welfare, led by its principal director, to discuss the preparedness of the state.
This was informed to journalists by the State Nodal Officer, Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and Deputy Director of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Nyan Kikon at his office chamber in Kohima.
Kikon stated, "During the meeting, the chief minister was apprised and updated on the level of preparedness in the state done by the department."
The chief minister was satisfied at the activities carried out by the department and asked them to keep his office informed on all developments.
Rio told the health officials to approach him for any assistance required from his level, and urged the department to keep constant surveillance and vigil, Kikon said.
He informed that the department also held a series of meetings with the chief secretary on January 30 and February 3. Kikon stated that the Minister for Health and Family Welfare, S Pangnyu Phom was closely monitoring the activities and had held a meeting on February 3 to take stock of the preparedness in Nagaland.
The nodal officer also informed that the department held a collaborative meeting with Nagaland Private Doctors Association, General Practitioners Association, IMA.
After the outbreak of coronavirus, the government of Nagaland was stated to have operationalised the Public Health Emergency Operation Centre with command centre since January 28.
Kikon stated that 33 persons from the state, including children with travel history to China and affected countries, were under surveillance. Out of the 33 persons, seven were being kept under home isolation, and monitored.
“The persons under surveillance have not shown any symptoms of coronavirus and so far the state has not sent any samples for testing,” he added.
On the state-level preparedness, the officer said, "Screenings of passengers started at Dimapur Airport from January 29 and daily updates are being done to the Central Surveillance Unit (CSU) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare via State Surveillance Unit (SSU); while the district surveillance units have been put on high alert and are on maximum vigil."
It was also informed that Rapid Response Teams (RRT) have been activated and were on maximum alert with personal protection equipments, N95 masks, hand-held thermal screeners; and all logistics for diagnosis and case management are in place.
The state health department have identified 25 beds in isolation wards of public hospitals with special focus in Dimapur and Kohima and set in all other district hospitals.
Meanwhile, the nodal officer also refuted rumours about using ginger or garlic for the cure of the virus; and use of second hand clothes coming from China and other affected countries, which is being widely circulated on social media platforms. He appealed to the people of the state not to panic or be misled.
Kikon further informed that, apart from the state help desk, district help desk has also been established; and appealed any person, with travel history to China and other affected countries whom the department might have missed out, to contact these helpline numbers: 7005415243, 9856071745, 7005539653 or reach out to the department on social media platforms.