With the ongoing precautionary measures taken up to curb the third wave of COVID-19 in Manipur, the daily positive cases will be reduced to single digit by first week of March, predicted director of Health Services Dr K Rajo on Friday.

Speaking to the media at the office of Health directorate in Imphal West, Rajo said most of the Omicron related death occurs to the persons having a history of co-morbidities and unvaccinated persons.

So far only one fully vaccinated person who did not have any history of co-morbidities died from Omicron, he said, adding that the deceased might be having a very weak immune system.

He informed that the state has detected only 358 cases of Omicron of the 4,951 samples sent for genome sequencing. Though the Omicron is a super spreader, its severity is mild, he added.

The highest peak of the Covid third wave in Manipur which started from mid January was recorded on January 28 with 20.8 percent as positivity rate, however since February the positivity rate has dropped below five per cent, said Rajo.

According to Rajo the rate of people having co-morbidities in Manipur is very high (especially diabetes and un-control BP) as people do not have the habit of regular health check ups.

“Many patients contacted Covid during their last stage. So, they are included in the category of Covid deceased though Covid is not the real reason for the cause of death,” explained Rajo.

Contending that the third wave of Covid is in a controlled stage, he said that the government has taken up all necessary measures to meet any eventualities in the future.

Getting vaccinated is very effective for any variants of Covid, he said, appealing the public to get vaccinated without any hesitancy as the vaccine is totally safe.

He further appealed to all the people of Manipur to follow the Covid protocols laid down by the government during the election.