Principal Director H & FM Dr Vizolie Z Suokhrie interacted with media on technical issues relating to COVID-19 at the conference hall of Directorate of Health and Family Welfare on 9th June 2020.
Addressing the media he said that due to misconception about Corona virus there has been panic reaction among the public which is leading to stigma and discrimination particularly toward the health workers. He remarked that if the frontline health workers are discriminated the whole purpose of winning the fight against the virus will be impossible. He therefore emphasized the need to educate and spread awareness about COVID-19 to the public.
He remarked that corona virus is here to stay with us for a long period but if we collectively work together and take social and individual responsibility COVID-19 is preventable. ‘Your safely is your responsibility and this every individual must understand’, Suokhrie added. He also said that simple prevention measures like social distancing, cough hygiene, hand hygiene, mask etc. must be followed by everyone in order to combat the virus.
Also highlighting about the COVID Care center he said that COVID infected patients with mild and asymptomatic cases will be transferred to the care center and COVID hospital can be reserved for more severe cases if COVID cases continue to increase in the state. He also added that COVID care center will be set in all the districts of Nagaland in some few days.
The Director also stressed on the importance of the use of mask in the proper way as has been published by the departments in its directives. He stated that N95 masks should be reserved for those health workers who comes into direct contact with the patients and encouraged the public to use the other types of masks available in the market including cloth masks. He stated that the department has procured different sets of PPEs for different categories of workers and emphasized on the importance of rational use of PPEs.
With regard to the management of confirmed cases, the health officials stated that in asymptomatic cases which will comprise of about 80 percent of confirmed case, no specific treatment would be required but the patients would have to maintain a healthy lifestyle. While for symptomic cases, treatment would be provided as per the symptoms. The officials also stated that the discharge policy of the State has deviated slightly from the Central guidelines to ensure maximum containment.
The testing strategy of the State was also discussed at the interaction whereby the officials stated that presently the State is following a 5th Revision Strategy. The officials also highlighted the testing capacity of the State which presently stands at 230 tests per day which is likely to increase upto 800 tests per day in the next few weeks.
(Esuihangle & Renbenthung)
