Nagaland’s increasing Covid-19 fatalities worry authorities; 23 deaths in just one month

Eastern Mirror Desk
Dimapur, Dec. 5 (EMN): November recorded the highest number of Covid-19 fatalities in Nagaland till date with 23 deaths, according to the state’s Health department.

Since July, which registered five deaths, the number of fatalities has increased by the month: six deaths in August, seven in September, 16 in October and 23 in November.

In its weekly Covid-19 update, the department informed that 32% of deaths happened within 48 hours of the patient arriving at the hospital.

“This signifies patients come to seek healthcare very late leaving little hope for survival. Timing of the few available treatments like oxygen and steroids in Covid-19 is very critical for survival,” it stated.

Sixty-seven percent of deaths are below 60 years of age and 20% of deaths do not have any known co-morbidity/disease.

The past week saw 214 fresh detections and one more death, the department informed.

“Sample positivity rate continues to remain high at around 10% signifying undetected cases in the community. Dimapur (13.4%) and Kohima (10.1%) have the highest sample positivity rate in the state.

“The most affected age group among the traced contacts is 21-40-year age group who could be inadvertently spreading the virus to the higher risk groups. This is evident by the constant increase in positivity among the 60 plus age group (6% of traced contacts). There was 1% increase in the 60 plus age group this week,” it added.

Household (29%) and workplaces (24%) continue to be two of the most common places of infection in the state.

“Positivity in flu clinics continues to increase which is worrisome as these people do not fall under contact tracing. Positivity among taxi drivers (17 cases) have increased in the last two weeks. All taxi drivers and passengers should wear a mask, leave windows open, use hand sanitisers and limit passengers as per SOP. Taxi drivers should not crowd together at taxi stands. This needs to be enforced by the competent agencies,” it cautioned.