Nodal officer for COVID activities in Dimapur, Nagaland and agriculture production commissioner Y Kikheto Sema on Wednesday said that sealed disinfected coffins of bodies of COVID victims are totally safe for burial or cremation as per the SOP given by the medical department.
Addressing a press conference at Dimapur deputy commissioner’s conference hall, Sema urged all the citizens to give due respect and honour to the departed souls, irrespective of status.
He expressed surprise at reports that some village authorities or colonies in the district are restricting entry of bodies of COVID victims even for performing the last rites.
Sema said misconceptions about coffins of COVID victims should be removed. He appealed to the village authorities not to restrict the coffins carrying bodies from entering their respective villages/colonies.
He said team Dimapur for COVID-19 is working is round the clock to provide best treatment to the COVID patients. He said Dimapur, being the entry point of Nagaland through road, air and rail, accounts for more that 61 per cent of COVID patients in Nagaland.
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He expressed appreciation to the private hospitals who have come forward to join the fight against the pandemic by providing and making arrangements for beds for COVID patients to the best of their ability. He also thanked the army for setting up makeshift beds in different private hospitals in the town.
Sema also made mention of various organisations and individuals for extending help to the COVID patients in various forms in this critical time.
Sema appealed to all to extend help to the needy COVID patients, saying this is the right opportunity help people.
He said presently, there are 296 beds with 40 ICU facility, 192 oxygen beds, 25 non-oxygen beds and 10 makeshift beds for Covid patients, both in government and private hospitals, are operational in Dimapur. He said such beds are expected to be increased by 335 by this week.
Sema thanked the media fraternity for rendering their services, calling them as one of the most important frontline workers in the fight against Covid.
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In his brief about Covid 19 management in Dimapur, deputy commissioner Rajesh Soundararajan said restrictions at the entry points are in place. He said negative RT-PCR report of the travellers are being checked and for those without the report are tested at the entry points.
Dimapur commissioner of police Rothihu Tetseo said the law and order situation in the district is normal. He urged the citizens to restrain themselves and work with a positive attitude.