Manipur Health Services director Dr K Rajo Singh on Friday warned the people of the state to not let their guard down despite the trend of low COVID-19 positivity rate over the last couple of months but to remain alert to prevent the fourth wave from affecting the state.
India's COVID-19 caseload has been decreasing for some months and even restrictions were lifted in many parts of the country. However, the number of COVID-19 cases has been increasing in some states of India and experts have predicted that a fourth wave may hit India in June.
As on April 22, India’s total number of confirmed cases was 43,052,425, new cases were 2,451, number of deaths was 5,22,116 and out of it, new death report was 54.
Manipur, meanwhile, has recorded confirmed cases at 1,37,205, active cases are 26 and deaths are 2,120. However, in the last 24 hours, no positive case was recorded in the state while the recovery rate reached 98.44 per cent and the positivity rate stood at 0 (Zero) per cent.
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Speaking to the Imphal Free Press, Director of Health Services, Dr K Rajo Singh informed that COVID-19 cases have decreased a lot in the state and as a result of it, restrictions were lifted, bringing back normalcy. However, they have started discussing the increasing cases in other states like Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Kerala to prevent another wave in the state, the director added.
Dr Rajo said that the state has been witnessing low COVID-19 cases despite festivals, election and reopening of markets and schools.
COVID-19 vaccinations and releasing of natural immunity are the major means to keep the pandemic under control, the director asserted.
The state government is still continuing vaccinations in full swing in the entire state with the support of many agencies such as the United Nation Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organisations (WHO), Care India, Doctors For You, Dr Rajo said. He also stated that considering vaccination is the best solution to prevent coronavirus spread, COVID-19 vaccination for 12-17 years of age was started in Manipur and that it will begin soon for the age group of five to 12 years.
The health services director also informed that booster dose for senior citizens was being provided free of cost while for the age group between 18 to 60 years, precautionary dose vaccination will be launched soon in private hospitals first. The price will be decided by the government, he added.
Dr Rajo said that despite putting in a lot of efforts for vaccinations, the rate of immunisation is very low in almost all the hill districts as it is below 50 per cent. The vaccination drive is continuing with the support of hill leaders and educated people of the village to convince the people who are hesitant to get vaccinated, he said.
The health director further said that nowadays people are in a relaxed mood as if there is no more pandemic. People should change such attitudes to prevent an alarming rate of coronavirus infection, he warned and said that the government may re-impose all restrictions if COVID-19 cases spike again.
The government is all ready to face any kind of COVID-19 consequences as all the COVID Care Centre (CCC) are in a condition that can be reopened at any time. Even at present, one CCC at RD Wing is functional, he informed while stating that people should rather take care of themselves maintaining COVID-19 appropriate behaviour rather than worrying about surge in positive cases.
