A 24×7 control room was opened in Manipur at the state medical directorate premises located at Lamphelpat to closely monitor the coronavirus (Covid 19) situation in the State.
Disclosing this additional director (Public Health) & state nodal officer Dr L Arke of the Health Services, Manipur also stated that screening has started at surface points of entry in the state (Behiang, Sinzawl in Churachandpur district, Moreh Gate 1,2 & Integrated Check Post in Tengnoupal, Nambisha in Kamjong, Jiri gate in Jiribam and Mao gate in Senapati.
So far out of the 12 samples sent for testing 10 has been found negative and results of two are awaited.
The state nodal officer Dr L Arke was speaking as a resource person during the awareness programme on coronavirus (COVID-19) for staffs of Raj Bhavan organized at Darbar Hall.
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The awareness programme was also attended by associate professor Dr R K Manojkumar Singh of Microbiology, Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) nodal officer of Viral Research & Diagnostic Laboratory), Microbiology, JNIMS, senior resident Dr Uthan Tharoijam of Medicine JNIMS.
In his presentation Dr Manojkumar Singh said coronovirus is a group of viruses causing diseases in mammals and birds.
In humans, the viruses cause respiratory-infections-typically mild including common cold but rarer forms like SARS & MERS can be lethal.
He further said Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has issued new travel advisory that Indians are advised to refrain from non-essential travel to Republic of Korea, Iran and Italy.
People coming from these countries or having such travel history since February 10 may be quarantined for 14 days on arrival to India.
On the other hand, Dr Uthan shared the signs and symptoms of coronovirus.
Some of the basic and necessary measures that people should follow are avoid travel to disease outbreak area, avoiding crowded places, maintaining distance of at least six feet away from anyone with symptoms, careful 60 second hand washing (soap, alcohol base hand sanitizers), avoiding touching of T-zone (eye, mouth, nose).
Staffs of Raj Bhavan including special secretary to Governor H T Gangte, commissioner Bobby Waikhom, CRPF personnel and others attended the awareness programme.
