‘Whole village will be quarantined if one person is tested positive for Covid-19’

Dimapur, March 28 (EMN): Epidemiologist Dr. Dheni on Saturday said that for rural areas (of Nagaland), whole village will be home quarantined if one person is tested positive for Covid-19 in a village. He added that in such a scenario, parameter control is very important — for which rapid response team comprising ASHAs and anganwadi workers have been formed to monitor them and one supervising officer would be designated to visit the suspected house.

Dheni said this during the final phase of training on the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) held in the District Hospital conference hall, Kiphire, on March 28. An update from the district media officer informed that he was one of the experts who trained the medical staff of Kiphire district hospital and office of the chief medical officer at the programme. The other speakers were Dr. TY Apila Sangtam MO and Dr. Hedungkiebe, DTO.

Speaking about the symptoms, and the dos and don’ts in regard to Covid-19, Dheni said that the common symptoms of the disease are fever, fatigue, dry cough, difficulty in breathing, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, and rhinorhea. He encouraged the participants to avoid social gathering, travelling in group, and to avoid close contact with anyone. He also encouraged them to frequently wash their hands for 60 seconds.

Dheni further mentioned there were two types of contact: High risk group and low risk group. High risk group are people who come in direct contact with patients without glove and mask; those who lives in the same house or who travels with patients, whereas low risk group are people who share same space without high risk exposure. He said only sample testing of throat is carried out for low risk group, adding that presently there is no recommended drugs for low risk group.

Sangtam spoke about the donning and doffing of personal protective equipment (PPE), besides a demonstration conducted by a nurse about the procedure of wearing shoe cover, gown, mask, N95 mask (to be worn only by person who would come in direct contact with patients), spectacles, cap, and gloves. Demonstration on removal of PPE – hand sanitisation after removal of items and disposal — was also held.

Dr. Hedungkiebe, on behalf of the CMO’s office, thanked all the participants. He also briefed the participants on the use of face mask and encouraged not to panic but to practise hygiene.