Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Monday said that there is no community transmission of COVID-19 in the state though there is evidence of local transmission.
The chief minister was briefing the media at the inauguration of a 300-bedded COVID Care Centre at Manipur Trade and Expo Centre, Lamboi Khongnangkhong, Imphal West.
The chief minister's clarification comes a day after Speaker Y Khemchand claimed that community transmission of COVID-19 has started in the state.
“Time has come to understand the coronavirus and to overcome it and how to survive along with the virus by protecting ourselves from the virus,” the speaker said while speaking at a valedictory ceremony of community quarantine centre of Manipur College, Singjamei Assembly constituency, held on Sunday.
However, the chief minister asserted that there is no community transmission in the state yet and said that awareness among the people is the need of the hour to contain further spread of the disease.
Biren appealed to the people to come out openly for early treatment instead of concealing their COVID-19 status when tested positive for the disease.
The chief minister said that the 300-bedded COVID Care Centre will be upgraded to a 1,000-bedded centre as it has enough space for expansion. He appreciated the health department and other officials for setting up the Covid Care Centre so that infected people can receive treatment in a timely manner.
State Deputy Chief Minister Yumnsm Joykumar, Health minister L Jayantakumar, chief secretary Rajesh Kumar, principal secretary (Health) V Vumlunmang, director (Health) Dr K Rajo and other officials were present during the inaugural function.
According to available data, there are at least 13 COVID-19 Care Centres functioning across the state. With the new centre at Manipur Trade and Expo Centre, the state now has 14 covid care centres.
Meanwhile, the state has recorded 2,831 COVID-19 confirmed cases while the number of active cases stands at 1,087 with 1,737 recovered cases so far.
