COVID-19 positive cases highest among armed forces in Nagaland

Kohima: COVID-19 cases among the armed forces spiked up to 1117 on Thursday after 39 persons out of the 82 new cases detected on Thursday were from the armed forces.

As per the health department, out of the 82 new cases, three are returnees, two from Phek and one from Kohima. Six traced as contacts, four from Dimapur and two from Kohima. Thirty-nine are from the armed forces from Dimapur and 19 others which includes cases related to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, Raj Bhavan, patients excluding returnees.

Overall, a total of 1117 armed forces, 1048 returnees, 182 frontline workers, 180 traced contacts, and 53 others have tested positive for COVID-19 taking the state’s tally to 2580.

Also Read: 82 more test positive; Nagaland records 2,580 COVID-19 cases

The total number of confirmed cases for the armed forces crossed the 1000-mark on August 4 when 52 of them tested positive for COVID-19 increasing the number to 1031 from 979.

Principal Secretary Home, Abhijit Sinha, informed that given the large number of paramilitary personnel testing positive, the state government have decided to reschedule their induction from outside the state, as a precautionary measure.

Official sources informed EastMojo that the spike in the number of cases among security forces could be attributed to increased testing. Sources said that as the personnel are returning to Nagaland for duty, infection among the other staff is also growing.

Security personnel on transit to Manipur are also tested in Nagaland; this may have added to the tally.

Also Read: Nagaland health minister’s residence sealed as staffers test COVID-19 positive

An update from the medical department on Thursday showed that 303 armed forces are currently in the military COVID-19 hospitals in the various districts. The exact number of active cases among the armed forces and the number of those in COVID care centres could not be ascertained till the filing of this report.

A total of 551 COVID-19 cases from the armed forces has been detected from August 1-6.

Meanwhile on Thursday, a total of 134 more persons have recovered from COVID-19 taking the number of recovered cases to 819. Out of the new recovered cases, 88 are from Dimapur, 35 are from Mon, five are from Kohima, three are from Tuensang, two from Mokokchung, and one from Zunheboto.

The COVID-19 update as on Thursday is:

Confirmed: 2580

Active: 1752

Recovered: 819

Death: 6

Migrated: 2

Out of seven reported deaths, one death is not related to COVID-19, although the deceased tested positive for COVID-19. All 1752 active cases are asymptomatic as per the severity of symptoms.

Till date, a total of 26,968 samples have been sent for testing through RT-PCR and results of 25,244 samples have been received. In addition, a total of 17,773 samples have been sent for testing on Truenat. A total of 2,199 persons are presently under Facility Quarantine.