After confirmation of Nagaland’s first COVID19 positive case from Dimapur, Nagaland health minister S Pangnyu Phom wants total lockdown to continue in the state, particularly in Dimapur district.
The patient, who was referred from a private hospital at Dimapur, was found positive for COVID19 in Gauhati Medical College Hospital (GMCH) on Sunday.
The news was first confirmed by Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in a tweet at 10.52 pm on Sunday.
Nagaland health minister Phom also tweeted at 2.43 am on Monday: “Unfortunately one person from Dimapur has tested positive of COVID-19 & is under treatment at GMCH at Guwahati.”
Stating that anyone, who came into contact with the positive patient, will be quarantined, Phom said: “Anyone who came into contact with the person will be immediately quarantined, also certain locations will be sealed for general safety.”
In a letter to Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio on Monday, Phom said: “In view of the outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and with the confirmation of first positive case from Nagaland yesterday, it is felt that the total lockdown of the state, particularly Dimapur district is required to prevent further spread of the virus in the state with immediate effect.”
Phom requested the chief minister Rio to “examine the case” and “issue necessary directives for implementation of the total lockdown in the interest of public health and safety”.
In his tweet on Sunday night, the Assam health minister said: “A private hospital in Dimapur, Nagaland referred a patient to GMCH after he was found with symptoms of #COVID19. He has tested positive and is undergoing treatment.”
It may be mentioned that till 5 pm on Sunday, 74 samples of suspected cases were sent for tests from Nagaland and the results of 70 samples received were found negative.
Official sources on Sunday said, in Nagaland, 407 people are presently under home quarantine while 28 are at facility quarantine.
A total of 5,459 people are out of home quarantine, the sources said.