ITANAGAR, Mar 26: Health and administrative officials on Thursday once again reiterated the need to practice self-imposed quarantine in order to ensure that there is no breakout of Covid-19 in the state.
Speaking to reporters at the civil secretariat here, Covid-19 state nodal officer, Dr L Jampa, said there were several misconceptions regarding the disease which needed to be clarified.
Giving a presentation on the disease, Dr Jampa said several people returning to the state may be carrying the virus since the incubation period is between two days and two weeks.
“Many of those coming back may be travelling within that period but not show symptoms. The thermal screening being done only shows if the person has a fever or not. People must follow containment methods for two-three weeks,” he said.
Dr Jampa said it is important to follow physical distancing measures and maintain hygiene. He also said that wearing masks is necessary for those showing symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, and having difficulty breathing.
He informed that 66 quarantine facilities with 2,273 beds have been identified across the state. However, he did point towards the challenges in maintaining the quarantine facilities, which require a 24-hour staff, including security, to look after inmates.
There are currently 41 rooms in two quarantine facilities in the capital complex – at the Bharat Scouts & Guides headquarters in Naharlagun and Hotel Donyi Polo Ashok in Itanagar.
So far, six samples collected from the state have tested negative, and three more were sent on Thursday.
Dr Jampa sought to allay fears about the disease, stating that its fatality rate is low at 4 to 6 percent, and that it is mainly the elderly who are at the highest risk.
Speaking about the statewide lockdown and its subsequent impact on the market, Capital Complex DC Komkar Dulom said essential services are to remain open, and that he has told vendors to not hike the prices of goods.
“If there are instances of price-hike that are reported to us, we will cross-check,” he said.
Dulom said petrol stations have been closed because people were not following instructions on physical distancing and had lined up in large numbers to fill up their vehicles.
He also said action would be taken against those who indulge in spreading rumours and fake news regarding the spread of the disease.
