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Dimapur, March 28 (EMN): Nagaland received the first consignment of personal protective equipment (PPE) on Saturday while the second shipment will arrive on Monday with help from the Indian Air Force.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio made this announcement during a briefing on Covid-19 in Kohima on Saturday, according to a DIPR report.
It stated that the chief minister highlighted some of the crucial measures the government is taking with support from the people to contain and deal with the Covid- 19 pandemic.
‘The welfare and protection of the people including the healthcare professionals, police personnel, media personnel and others who are at the frontlines will be our priority. Therefore, medication, equipment and safety measures are being put in place for the safety of the general public and medical workers,’ he said.
Rio assured that the state government is taking all measures in regard to procuring medical safety gears, ventilators and other urgent necessities.
He informed that as of 4 pm on March 28, 3076 persons were under home quarantine in Nagaland.
Out of 18 samples sent for testing, results for 13 have returned negative and the remaining five awaits confirmation.
With regard to essential medical equipment exclusively for Covid-19 cases, Rio informed that the state has 16 ventilators, 1712 PPE, 551 N95 masks, and 16 cardiac monitors, which have been distributed to various districts.
The chief minister informed that Nagaland has received medical equipment totalling 1536, which includes triple layer mask, PPE, BD universal viral transport and swab sticks.
Additional medical equipment and accessories totalling 2,16,800 is expected very soon, he said.
In addition, 33 more ventilators are expected to arrive next week.
‘Constant efforts are being made to expedite delivery of such essential medical equipment and accessories with the help of government of India. The Health department has till now made available 173 isolation beds for Covid-19 cases. This is in addition to 175 isolation beds in identified Covid-19 hospitals,’ he informed.
The number of quarantine facilities in the state has been increased to 1043.
The chief minister reiterated that the lockdown was not intended to restrict the flow of essential goods and commodities.
The movement of essential goods and commodities has not been restricted in any manner and the position of their availability continues to be normal and comfortable, he said.
Rio appealed to the Union Home Minister and all the chief ministers in India to provide assistance to any Naga stranded in their respective states.
He further appealed them to keep in touch with the Nagaland Houses around the country.
The chief minister reminded that the government has appointed one minister and one advisor each for every district to monitor the Covid-19 situation.
Apart from that, two cabinet ministers namely, Neiba Kronu and Pangnyu Phom, have been appointed as spokespersons to give a press briefing everyday to keep the people informed, he added.
“The world is going through turbulent days, the likes of which we have never experienced before. Its impact is being felt by all of us.
“But let me assure you that despite constraints, we are fully geared up to deal with this crisis and I am sure we can defeat this invisible enemy,” said Rio.
The chief minister reiterated that ‘social distancing is the need of the hour, which we must practice with utmost seriousness’.
Meanwhile, the state government has decided to give INR 2,000 each to 24,457 construction workers registered with the Nagaland Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, state Labour Commissioner SL Wati Aier said.
According to PTI, Aier said the measure was taken to help them sustain during the lockdown, addingI NR 4.8 crore will be spent on the initiative.
It also reported the principal secretary of Home, Abhijit Sinha, as saying that control rooms have been set up in all the districts to monitor the supply of essential commodities.
According to the principal secretary, there is no shortage of foodgrains, grocery items, milk and medicines in the state.
He informed that a total of 27 persons have been arrested till Saturday for violating restrictions on the movement of people.