As the state continues to gear up and review COVID-19 pandemic preparedness, legislators, who are made in-charge of various districts, visited respective districts and interacted with the frontline workers and stakeholders. Review meetings, trainings and home visits by Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) are also being carried out to assess and disseminate information on COVID-19 pandemic. Various directives, appeals and advisory have also been issued by the respective administrations at both district and sub-division level. Mock drills to check and test COVID-19 preparedness are also being held across the state. Various government agencies are being trained so as to ensure that they are adequately prepared in case of COVID-19 outbreak in Nagaland.
Kohima
Mock drill: A real life simulation of the prepared action plan on dealing with positive COVID-19 case was carried out at Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK) by District Administration on COVID-19 in collaboration with District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) and the medical department Thursday.
According to DIPR report, the mock drill was held to check and test the preparedness of the different government agencies that has been set in place to tackle every aspect related to a COVID-19 outbreak in the district.
The simulation involved a number of important Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) activities such as patient management and treatment, contact tracing and quarantine of known contacts, containment and sealing off of COVID-19 positive areas and dead body management of deceased COVID-19 positive patients.
The mock drill was followed by a debriefing session in chamber of the deputy commissioner and chairman DDMA, Gregory Thejawelie, who is also the RO (Responsible Officer).
Incident Commander under the Incident Response System ADC Kohima, LithronglaTongpi Rutsa gave a detailed report of the entire COVID-19 mock drill exercise followed by brief reports from all three section chiefs namely operation section chief, planning section chief and logistics section chief.
A number of procedural lapses were highlighted by the three section chiefs from their on-field experiences, which was duly noted by the team for future reference and to ensure that if any COVID-19 related situation arises it is tackled effectively.
Phek
ASHAs monitor senior citizens: As part of COVID-19 preparedness and preventive measures, Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) of Phek, in their respective areas, have been monitoring the elderly people.
A press release by Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Phek informed that senior citizens (above 60 years) and especially those with comorbidities are particularly susceptible to the virus, therefore need to be monitored.
The release informed that the ASHAs have been conducting house visit in disseminating the information on the advisory Do’s and Don’ts for protection of senior citizens prepared by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, government of India. The department said that there are 12743 (approximate) elderly people in Phek district.
Wokha
Patton visits PHC Nyiro: To review COVID-19 pandemic preparedness, deputy chief minister, Y Patton Thursday visited Primary Health Centre (PHC) Nyiro, which has been converted to five-bedded isolation centre under Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Wokha.
A press release by Dy. CM media cell stated that Patton, who is also in-charge of COVID-19 Wokha district, interacted with the health workers and public leaders of Nyiro range, and assured any logistic support in their fight against the virus.
At the request of the people, Patton assured to personally finance the construction of parking facility at PHC Nyiro and blacktopping the PHC approach road.
Patton also urged the public not to cause any hindrance, particularly land ownership issues, when developmental activities are initiated by the government. Later, he also handed over one fogging machine to CMO Wokha.
Training on disposal of dead bodies: Training on disposal of the dead bodies of COVID-19 victims was held Thursday at Dr. Motsuo Memorial District Hospital, Wokha.
A press release by the office of Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Wokha informed that resource person, SMO Wokha, Dr. Wemeri Khutsoh took sessions on the dead body management in COVID-19 cases. The session included procedure of disposal of dead body, handling and transportation of dead body, management at burial ground and precautionary measures to be taken while handling such cases.
Speaking on bio medical waste management, he said stated that guidelines should be followed in the disposal of personal protection equipment after coming in contact with a COVID-19 case to avoid the spread.
Personnel from State Disaster Response Force, Police, Wokha Town Council, doctors from 24 Assam Rifles and medical department staffs took part in the one day training.
Peren
Namri visits Athibung Town: To assess COVID-19 preparedness, advisor for water resources, Namri Nchang who is also the legislator in-charge of Peren District, Thursday visited Athibung town. According to DIPR report, Namri accompanied by deputy commissioner and chief medical officer Peren interacted with medical staff, town councils and various organizations.
During the meeting, Namri Nchang lauded the district administration, medical teams and all frontline workers for their pro-active roles amidst the outbreak of COVID-19.
He urged the public, town councils, GBs of various villages under Ahthibung sub-division to continue to extend support to the district administration.
Namri asked medical team, SDO (C) and town councils to strictly adhere with the quarantine protocols issued by the government if and when stranded students and workers are allowed to enter the district.
Dimapur
Zhaleo visits CHC Medziphema: Advisor, sericulture, excise & minority affairs, Zhaleo Rio Thursday on his second visit to Community Health Centre (CHC) Medziphema inspected the ongoing preparations for quarantine wards. A press release by media secretary, NDPP 5 Ghaspani-II A/ C stated that Zhaleo also interacted with doctors and staff. He was accompanied by ADC Medziphema, Tshuvise Phoji and chairman, health centre management committee, CHC Medziphema, Miathou Krose.
Kikheto meets various samaj: APC and commissioner & secretary and convenor, empowered group, Dimapur District, Y. Kikheto Sema Thursday with various Samaj in Dimapur Hotel Saramati.
According to DIPR report, the meeting was convened to discuss issues relating to arrangement of quarantine facilities in the district for stranded people of Nagaland, who will be returning to the state post nationwide lockdown.
Highlighting the ongoing preparations of quarantine facilities for stranded people, he informed that the committee has identified some government owned buildings as quarantine centres where renovation works have already started. The convenor also sought suggestions from different community present in the meeting and also sought details of those who will be arriving post lockdown.
Kikheto also briefed the gathering about various measures that are being taken up by the government to stop and contain the spread of COVID-19. Dimapur being the gateway of Nagaland, he said the citizens have huge responsibility to prevent spread of the virus while pointing out that the state government was giving “special attention” to the district in its fight against the pandemic.
Kikheto also sought the support and cooperation of every citizen and community saying that the district administration, police and medical departments alone cannot fight the pandemic.
Representatives from Marwari Samaj, Bengali Samaj, Jain Samaj,Oswal Samaj, Aggrawal Samaj, Gorkha Samaj, Kachari Tribal Council, Punjap Samaj, Kerala Samaj, Bhojpuri Samaj, Muslim Council attended the meeting.
All the representatives present in the meeting assured all possible help and also offered their community owned buildings to quarantine people from their communities. Representative from medical department highlighted the various steps to be followed while receiving the stranded people. District administration and police also thanked the organisation for their support and contribution and sought the same support and cooperation in fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Churches resolve to support government: Church leaders in a joint meeting of Christian Forum Dimapur (CFD) and Government officials Nagaland on April 28 at Bishop’s House Dimapur have resolved to support the government in its fight against COVID-19 pandemic.
A press release by CFD informed that the church leaders resolved to support the government in the following areas: 1. CFD to request the church associations to open the guest houses and premises for quarantine facilities. As per the needs of the government, the churches will take care of accommodating the respective church or community persons in quarantine designated and approved by district administration.
2. CFD collectively with the help of the different churches and institutions, have covered around 1900 families with food grains, provision kits; to cover another 3000 more families in two phases.
3. The youth and pastors 10-15 in number maintaining the physical distance will go around to different stations and colonies to share the message of love and hope.
4. CFD will represent and coordinate the charity and welfare related activities of the churches in Dimapur.
5. CFD will provide volunteers in case the government requires.
6. CDF will contact all the church associations to raise fund for hitting the target of 3000 people in the second phase of relief.
7. The CDF will request permition for 10-15 members to have prayer in the church on Sundays maintaining the social/physical distance.
8. The CFD also assured to continue to pray for our city, state, nation and people who are diseased, affected and infected by the COVID 19 virus globally.
The release stated that the meeting was held share the concerns, challenges and enhancing possibilities of a strong collaborative mission to combat the pandemic.
The meeting called by CFD was attended by APC and commissioner secretary, Y. Kikheto Sema, deputy commissioner (DC) Dimapur, Anoop Kinchi, Secy. F& CS, department, Honje Konyak and 35 church leaders representing various denominations.
Medical camp at Chumoukedima: In view of COVID-19 pandemic, Nagaland Medical Dealers Association (NMDA) in collaboration with the district administration conducted a medical camp on April 28 at new DC office complex at Chumoukedima. A press release by NMDA informed that the medical camp was conducted for the people quarantined in the new DC complex. The team of doctors treated around 200 people at the quarantine centre most of whom had “general ailment of diarrhoea and skin infections with general weakness”, stated the release.
Mokokchung
Training on dead body management: As per COVID-19 dead body management guidelines, training was carried out for PWD Mechanical, Home Guards & Civil Defence (SDRF) and MMC on April 28 at the Conference Hall of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Mokokchung.
A press release by the office of CMO Mokokchung informed that resource person, Dr. Aonungdok (epidemiologist) in a power-point presentation briefed the trainees on the standard precautions to be followed while handling and disposal of the dead bodies of COVID-19 suspect or confirmed case.
Training was also imparted on the origin, transmission, risk groups, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and control measures. Presentation of illness like mild, severe and critical, age distribution of cases and its severity, case fatality rate and stages of pandemic. A short video on proper hand washing and guidelines on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was shown and demonstration on use of mask and gloves disposal was done.
HoDs, HoOs informed: In the interest of public health and safety and in pursuance of the government of Nagaland order, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mokokchung, Limawapang Jamir, has informed that all the head of departments HODs and head of offices (HoOs) returning from outside the district will be screened at the established check post/CMO Control Room. The DC said that strict protocol will be followed as per the directives of the Medical department and would issue necessary certification. All HoDs and HoOs, village task force/ward task force have been directed to comply with the directives of the medical department. The DC warned that any person/group acting in violation of the order shall be deemed to have committed an offence punishable under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code.
Mon
Mon district launches mobile app: Mon district administration has launched a mobile application ‘NL-SOJO COVID’ that would monitor the current, previous and future movements of people under observation for COVID-19.
The deputy commissioner (DC) Mon, Thavaseelan K, told Nagaland Post that the app also has additional features including tracking user locations and profiles, vital sign information, travel history and how they were progressing daily. Through the app, DC said the authorities would be alerted when users go outside defined boundaries during quarantine or lockdown.
To use app, DC said one has to fill out a profile, with travel history, medical symptoms, vital signs etc. he said the users would get instant alerts from authorities, map of test centres and hospitals, educational COVID-19 resources from official sources and, if enabled, the last visited locations of infected individuals could be viewed.
Communication includes receiving alerts about users’ locations for compliance with local safety guidelines, sending mass messages, email and SMS emergency calls. The app is especially useful for monitoring individuals in quarantine (home or facility), medical and emergency personnel providing care, employees in essential retail, grocery stores, and other high-exposure occupations, recent travellers by air, rail, bus, etc, voluntary citizen opt-in. The app was developed in collaboration with Sita Corp, headquartered at New Jersey, United States. (Correspondent)
Guidelines for home delivery service: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mon Thavaseelan K notified that the designated home delivery persons/volunteers are risking their safety to be at work. Therefore, the DC said it was necessary to issue health and safety measures to be followed by all persons involved in home delivery services.
According to DIPR report, the DC has issued the following guidelines: 1. Imparting of basic training on health, safety and norms to prevent spread of COVID-19 to all the delivery persons/volunteers must be conducted by all the organisations/agencies involved in home delivery services. The office of the deputy commissioner Mon may be approached for help in this regard.
2. Persons suspected of suffering from Influenza like Illness (ILI) and severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) should not be deployed for delivery of essential commodities.
3. Regular hand washing is important. Masks and hand gloves should be used at all times.
4. In order to maintain social distancing, delivery person/volunteers should not come in close contact with any clients and at least 1 metre distance should be maintained. Items should be delivered at the doorstep.
5. Delivery persons/volunteers should not go inside the customers’ house under any circumstances.
6. Service which requires exchange of cash must involve use of money carry bags to avoid touching the money. Always insist on exact amount of cash to avoid exchange of change. The money is to be taken out of the carry bag after 5 days.
7. Regular health check-up/monitoring of persons involved in home delivery should be conducted with the help of the Office of the Chief Medical Officer. The health check up should happen every week. Call 9862014033 for the same.
8. In case of need for professional help, call district helpline – 9862078993/9862014033/7005687775.
District administration ties up with IT&IA: Mon district administration has tied up with Intugine Technologies and Infinite Analytics (IT&IA) for bolstering its capabilities in the fight against COVID-19.
According to DIPR report, IT&IA is a Bangalore based start-up and the solution developed by it can work without installing any application which makes it very effective and easy to implement. It uses SMS based user consent to initiate tracking.
Alternatively, the COVID-19 Quarantine Alert System (CQAS) developed by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), government of India can be used for implementing the solution.
The report said the real time dashboard will be used by Mon district War Room for better monitoring of those under home and facility quarantine.
The report stated that with the tie up, the district administration and police have been able to boost the District’s COVID-19 response capabilities manifold.
Kiphire
District level training: District level training on COVID-19 for police personnel, doctors and veterinary doctors was carried out Thursday at District Hospital Kiphire Conference Hall.
According to DIPR report, resource persons were Dr. Dheni (epidemiologist), SMO DHK, Dr. Tiakakla Walling and DPM, QA, Dr. Imnanoktsung.
Dr. Dheni spoke on epidemiology of COVID-19 including global India update. He said that transmission of COVID-19 can occur through respiratory secretions and also mentioned about the most common symptoms.
Topics like high risk group and low risk group, surveillance period which is for 28 days, contact tracing and collection of samples etc. was also covered.
Dr. Tiakala Walling spoke about infections prevention and control standard precaution and additional precaution. She said infection prevention and control is a scientific approach with practical solutions designed to prevent harm, caused by infections to patients and health workers.
She mentioned that the role of IPC was to reduce transmission of health care associated infections and to enhance the safety of staff patients and visitors.
Later the procedure for donning and doffing of PPEs was demonstrated by nurse Limasenla.
Kashiho, Sukhalu visit Seyochung: Minister for geology and mining, soil & water conservation, V. Kashiho Sangtam and advisor for school education, K.T. Sukhalu, who are district in-charge for Kiphire visited Seyochung Thursday.
According to DIPR report, the legislators visited CHC for inspection and had brief meeting with the doctor and the medical team.They also visited the 20 bedded quarantined centre set up at Government High School Seyochung.
Kashiho, Sukhalu also held a brief meeting with the area elders, Seyochung GB Federation President and his colleagues, Sema-Sangtam joint community office bearers. They sought the support and cooperation of the community in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic.
Tuensang
Training for SDRF: As part of COVID-19 preparedness, training was conducted for the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) Thursday at the Conference Hall, District hospital Tuensang.
A press release by district media officer Tuensang stated that resource person, Dr. Senilo Magh imparted training on donning and doffing of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and how to carry the dead body bag to the burial site. Around 15 SDRF personnel were trained.