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Our Correspondent
Kohima, March 25 (EMN): The department of Health and Family Welfare (H&FW) on Wednesday updated that there was no confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) in Nagaland as on March 25, with five out of eight samples being sent for testing coming out negative for the virus.
The department went on to say that the results of three more samples sent on Wednesday were awaited.
According to the update, the number of persons on quarantine and those under surveillance in the state was 1543 each so far, and a total of 5433 people have been screened at the Dimapur Airport while the number of people screened at the railway and roadways, including border screening, stood at 17290. It added that there were six foreigners in Nagaland at present. (Refer table for detail)
As Nagaland entered day-three of the state-wide lockdown and first day of the nation-wide lockdown on Wednesday, Kohima wore a deserted look.
Following the prime minister's announcement of 21-day nation-wide lockdown, starting from March 26 to April 17, the citizens of Kohima stayed indoors, except for those coming out for emergencies.
Citizens were urged to strictly maintain social distancing and defaulters were warned, according to police personnel on duty.
The deputy commissioner (DC) of Kohima, Gregory Thejawelie, on Wednesday directed grocery shops and bakeries within Kohima municipal area to open for public from 10 am to 2 pm only, with immediate effect.
The DC stated that the order was issued in the interest of the public and as a precautionary measure to encourage 'social distancing' due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The people have been directed to visit the nearest grocery shops and bakeries within their respective colonies/wards to ensure public safety.
The DC had earlier said that there was no shortage of essential commodities and asked people not to panic. The Kohima Chamber of Commerce and Industry also said that food grains and other essential commodities were in stock.
The minister of Railways and Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, also tweeted: "Lifeline of India: Railways is dedicated to ensuring that essential goods reach all the citizens amidst #COVID19 lockdown".
The principal director of H&FW, Dr. Vizolie Z Suokhrie, informed in a press communiqué on Wednesday that ‘Dimapur Tourist Lodge has been identified and designated as quarantine centre for Dimapur district’ while the District Hospital has been designated as Covid-19 Hospital.
“In Kohima, designated Quarantine Centres have been identified, and Chedema AYUSH Hospital as the Covid-19 Hospital. NHAK will also be converted to Covid-19 Hospital as and when the situation demands. Covid-19 Hospitals will exclusively examine and treat cases for Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) and Infleunza-like Infection (ILI),” the communiqué read.
The principal director also clarified that there is no testing centre in the State due to lack of bio-safety level laboratory in the state, both in government and private establishment. The samples are collected in all the district hospitals and sent in a special viral transport medium (VTM) to the designated lab, identified by the government of India, the statement added.
Suokhrie appealed to the public not to spread rumours and to verify information with the concerned district authority.