A total of 42 people who have returned to Nagaland from China and other coronavirus-hit countries have been kept under observation in the state. The Nagaland government also mentioned that no confirmed case of coronavirus infection has been found in the state so far.
Nagaland Health Minister S Pangnyu Phom told reporters that seven people out of 42 are being monitored twice a day as per standard protocol. All the 42 people have been kept in isolation at their homes.
He informed the Assembly that district surveillance unites and rapid response teams have been activated and are on maximum alert. A total of 25 isolation beds in public hospitals have been identified and kept ready and added that the department is working in close coordination with private hospitals in the State.
The Minister also informed that screening of passengers arriving at Dimapur airport have stated on January 30th, 2020. India has so far reported three positive coronavirus cases in Kerala.
Leader of Opposition, TR Zeliang stated that the preventive measures taken up by the State Government should be in full swing with scanning of passengers not only at the airport but should also be done in the railway station and all entry points of Nagaland so as to keep the virus away from the state.
Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh share their border with Myanmar. Arunachal Pradesh also shares a long border with China.
The Manipur Government on February 6th, 2020, banned the import of packaged food items made in China, Myanmar and other Southeast Asian countries as a precautionary measure amid the coronavirus outbreak.
The death toll due to the deadly coronavirus outbreak in China has increased to 811, while the number of confirmed cases have crossed 37,000.
Photo credit: foreignpolicy.com
