Nagaland for the first time in nearly 15 weeks witnessed a sharp decline in the weekly sample positivity rate (WSPR), which dropped to 2.3% (between August 21-27) from 4%– recorded between August 14-20.
The daily new Covid-19 cases and deaths also saw a dip at 359 and five respectively, the lowest since the peak of the second wave that hit the state in early May.
According to the weekly bulletin released by the Health department (H&FW), even though Mokokchung district’s WSPR saw a decline from 9% to 6%, the district still continues to remain above the 5% threshold.
The case positivity rate is a key indicator to gauge the spread of the disease in the community at a certain point in time. The World Health Organisation (WHO), in an advisory released in May last year, stated that less than 5% samples testing positive for Covid-19, at least for two weeks, is an indicator that the disease is under control.
Vaccination: The state has so far inoculated 8.49 lakh persons against Covid-19. Dimapur, Kohima, Mokokchung, Mon and Longleng have the highest first dose coverage among eligible beneficiaries.
Testing: The state also recorded highest number of samples that were tested in a single week till date — 15,864 samples tested and 359 cases detected. The highest samples were collected from Dimapur and Zunheboto, it said.
Deaths: Till date, the state registered 600 Covid-19 deaths out of which 60% were from Dimapur (365) followed by Kohima-18% (110) and Mokokchung- 8% (49).
The department said that 99% of Covid-19 deaths in the second wave (March 2021 till date) were not fully vaccinated while 90% had not received even a single dose.
State logs 79 fresh cases: Nagaland on Saturday recorded 79 fresh Covid-19 positive cases and no nil deaths during the day.
Of the fresh cases, 43 were from Dimapur, Kohima-24, four in Tuensang, three in Phek, two in Wokha and one each in Mokokchung, Mon and Zunheboto, taking the total caseload to 29920.
Further, the death toll remain unchanged at 614 (including 14 non-Covid deaths but with positivity).