Measures taken by Manipur CM to combat COVID-19
Measures taken by Manipur CM to combat COVID-19

Manipur: Measures are being taken to combat and prevent community spread of COVID-19, says CM N. Biren Singh

May 24, 2020: Measures taken by Manipur CM to combat COVID-19. Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has appealed to the people to not panic amid pandemic due to Covid-19. The state, he said at a press conference held at the State Secretariat on Friday, is fully prepared with all necessary measures to combat Covid-19.

 

He informed that the primary task ahead for the government is to ensure prevention of community spread of the disease in the State and take all preventive steps for the same. He also said that the government will welcome all constructive criticisms and suggestions to chalk out plans to combat the spread of the disease in the State.

 

Chief Minister Singh also appreciated the efforts of the people for strictly adhering to the advisories and guidelines issued by the Union Health Ministry, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) as well as the state government, urging them to obey measures laid by WHO, Medical experts, and the Health Ministry at the same time.

The key measures to fight the disease are maintaining social distancing, staying at home, wearing face masks, use of hand sanitizers, and avoiding mass gatherings, he said.

 

The number of tests in laboratories at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) and Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) has been increased to over 200-300 per day. A total of 700-800 samples are being collected each day. The number of freezers to keep the blood samples has also been increased, he added.

 

The government is also taking safety measures for the returnees to the state from the various red zone areas across the country. “Regarding the returnees from the red zone area, we are going to confine those people coming from the red zone area in a particular area. Testings will be done. Only after then we will release them to respective quarantine centers.” he said.  If their test results are negative then they will be kept under home quarantine. For those not equipped with home quarantine facilities, will be accommodated at community quarantine centers, he further said.

 

Chief Minister Singh also said that the government acknowledges the efforts made by the frontline workers, local volunteers, CSOs in the fight against COVID-19. He assured that the government will provide due compensation to local volunteers, truck drivers, handymen, and others in case of any unfortunate incident as per the norms laid by the Government of India. He also appealed to his Cabinet colleagues, MLAs, DCs, and CSOs to spread awareness about the preventive measures against the virus.

 

Mr. Singh also handed over testing kits, PPEs, and masks to the officials of Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) and Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) which had been donated to the state by the Korean Manipuri Association and the Tata Trusts.

 

While the former had donated 1000 Seegene’s AllplexTM 2019-nCoV Assay kits worth Rs. 40 lakhs approved by ICMR, NIV Pune, FDA & CE-IVD, the latter donated 3000 PPEs and 18,000 surgical masks to the Chief Minister.

 

The Minister for Health and Family Welfare for the state L. Jayantakumar Singh, Minister for CAF&PD  Karam Shyam, and the Minister for Education Th. Radheshyam were also present during the press conference.