The promptness exhibited by the health officials of the Itanagar capital region, led by District Medical Officer (DMO) M Perme, to conduct mass testing of the police officials returning home after performing election duties in states like West Bengal and Assam is highly appreciated. On Thursday, 157 persons were tested on their arrival at the Hollongi gate. In a matter of relief, all of them returned negative in the test. As the number of Covid-19 cases is rising across the country, there is a need for stricter vigilance.
The state government in particular should keep a tab on the police and other officials who have been deployed on election duties. All of them should be tested on their arrival. Also, the people who are returning from high-risk states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, Punjab, etc, should voluntarily go for RT-PCR test on their return. Experts have warned that the second wave of Covid-19 infection is more dangerous than the first one. What is worrying is that in the second wave, the virus spreads more quickly and the mortality rate is also very high. Therefore, Arunachal needs to remain alert. A new case of Covid-19 has hit Roing town, the headquarters of Lower Dibang valley district. A government higher secondary school has been declared as a containment zone after six students and a parent were found to be Covid-19 positive, out of 153 rapid antigen tests conducted. This is a warning bell and it should be taken seriously.