ITANAGAR, 18 Jan: Four areas in the Itanagar Capital Region (ICR) have been declared as micro-containment zones, following the detection of a total of 51 Covid-19 cases in the areas.
Fifteen cases of Covid were detected in B Sector, located near the TRIHMS girls’ hostel, the DHS office and the veterinary hospital in Naharlagun, while 13 cases each have been detected in Model Village, near the government higher secondary school, the New Market area in Naharlagun and Ward 1 in Gohpur Tinali market area. Ten cases have been detected in Ward 2, in SRPL Colony, near Gelan Memorial School.
The residents of these four areas have been put under 14 days’ quarantine with immediate effect, with directions to strictly comply with the Covid SOPs.
DMO expresses concern
Meanwhile, ICR DMO Dr Mandip Perme has expressed concern over the rapid spread of Covid-19 in the ICR.
Speaking to the press here on Tuesday, he said that, even though the health department is still trying to ascertain whether Omicron is the cause of this sudden surge in cases, the possibility remains high.
“We have started genome sequencing of positive cases to try to figure out if Omicron is the main cause for the rise in cases. Earlier, 71 positive samples sent to the laboratory came negative for Omicron. Recently, we sent 15 more samples and are awaiting the results. But seeing the sudden rise, we cannot rule out the possibility of the Omicron variant causing the spread of Covid,” said Dr Perme.
He said that, out of 582 positive cases, only three have been admitted to the DCH in Chimpu. “The vaccine coverage in the ICR is quite good. Due to it, there is a less serious case this time. I appeal to people to come forward and get vaccinated as soon as possible,” the DMO said.
He said that the health department is particularly tracking the movement of international travellers. “So far we have tracked 34 international travellers in the ICR. All of them have been advised home isolation for seven days. On the eighth day, they will be tested through RT-PCR. So far, all of them have returned negative test results,” he added.
The DMO also informed that two rapid response teams have been constituted for the ICR.
