No need to worry, Nagaland has sufficient oxygen: COVID-19 spokesperson

Kohima: Amid a surge in COVID-19 cases with some patients requiring hospitalisation, the Nagaland government on Monday claimed that there is “enough oxygen” in the state. High Powered Committee (HPC) spokesperson Mmhonlumo Kikon informed that there are 1,558 different types of oxygen available in the state, including oxygen concentrators.

The legislator said that there are 980 oxygen cylinders available at the oxygen depot in Chumoukedima. Another 800 will reach the state from Ahmedabad on Tuesday, he added.

“People need not worry about the lack of oxygen. We have sufficient oxygen to deal with the matter,” he said.

Kikon also informed that the 176-bed COVID-19 hospital will be set up at CIHSR campus in Dimapur which will offer essential medical services without disruption. “In spite of the financial constraints and stress, the government of Nagaland and the government of the day, has prioritised the protection of the people and the health of our citizens,” said Kikon.

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He also informed that a 30-bed police referral hospital will be inaugurated in the state on Tuesday. On the same day, the PSA plant will be operational.

Further, Kikon informed that the state has received 1,400 vials (100mg) of Remdesivir from the Helath ministry. About 1,18,050 doses of available COVID-19 vaccines has also been distributed across the districts.

Will lockdown be extended?

Kikon informed that the future course of action of the state on if the lockdown will be extended will be assessed according to factors such as transmission level, sample positivity rate and bed occupancy in COVID facilities.

Informing that the state’s overall positivity rate has seen a drop by 2%, he expressed hope that the rate will continue to witness a decline in the COVID-19 positivity rate.

Preparedness in rural areas

According to Kikon, to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 disease from the urban areas to the rural areas, the state government has put in several precautionary measures.

He informed that all District Task Forces (DTFs) have been alerted about the preventive measures to contain the spread of the virus to rural areas. Community surveillance teams have been activated to report COVID-19 like symptoms.

He said that the state government is making plans to expand rapid testing till health and wellness centres. Community COVID care centres and village task forces have also been activated, he assured.