Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXX No. 240
DIMAPUR, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2020 Pages 8 ` 4.00
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Women essential in fight against COVID-19, says UN international, Page 7
COVID spike further with 276 cases Over 50 killed, at least 2700 injured
Massive explosion rocks Beirut
D I M A P U R , AU G 4 (NPN): COVID-19 cases in Nagaland continues to be on upward spiral with the breaching of Monday’s record of 194 cases rising to the highest single-day spike of 276 on Tuesday. Out of the total, 214 cases alone were reported from personnel of the armed forces. It may be noted that armed forces personnel are contributing a major portion of COVID-19 positive cases to the tally in Dimapur (171 cases). Out of 735 samples that were tested, Dimapur registered 187 cases and 89 cases in Mon. The total COVID tally as on August 4 stood at 2405 cases-- 1738 active, 659 recovered, 6 deaths and 2 migrated. As per the severity of symptoms, 1,736 active cases were asymptomatic, 1
cases from Returnees, 167 cases from Frontline Workers, 155 cases are traced contacts, and 33 ‘others’ which includes cases related to NLA, Raj Bhavan, patients excluding returnees. According to Health department data (positive cases by domicile district as on August 4, 2020), DiMon 0 0 39 238 199 0 0 mapur district remained on Peren 0 0 231 252 21 0 0 the top, with 1104 cases, Phek 0 0 17 29 12 0 0 followed by Kohima- 462, Tuensang 0 0 42 46 4 0 0 Peren- 331, Mon- 263, Wokha 0 0 1 13 12 0 0 Zunheboto- 68, TuensangZunheboto 0 0 5 66 61 0 0 51, Phek- 30, Wokha- 23, Total 1 1 659 2405 1736 6 2 Mokokchung- 18, Lon*4 deaths reported as due to Covid-19, 1 death is Covid-19 positive but not gleng- 5, Kiphire- 4 and due to Covid-19 (paid quarantine center) and 1 Covid-19 positive death (with others- 46. co-morbidities) under investigation. The state’s recovery details of COVID-19 cases detected on Aug 4, 2020 rate further declined to 27.31 per cent with the deArmed Frontline Traced tection of the new cases. District Returnees Total Forces workers contacts Most of the recovered Dimapur 171 10 1 5 187 people are from the Peren Mon 43 42 4 0 89 district where 231 people Total 214 52 5 5 276 got well. So far, 167 people mild, 1 admitted to ICU on armed forces (171 in Dima- recovered in Dimpaur and oxygen. Out of 6 deaths-- 4 pur and 43 in Mon) while 147 in Kohima. died due to COVID, 1 death 52 were returnees, 5 front(positive) but not due to line workers and 5 traced Christian Institute of COVID and 1 death under contacts. investigation (co-morbidities Further out of the Health Sciences and Reand positive case). 2,405 positive cases, the search (CIHSR) here has According to Health distribution across various remained shut since July 31 department’s August 4 ‘sta- categories of people are- after at least 22 of its staff tus update’, 214 cases were 1,019 cases from Armed tested positive for COVIDdetected from among the Forces/Paramilitary, 1,031 19 positive.
According to CIHSR director Dr Sedevi, almost the entire billing staffs are positive and that almost all of them are asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic with quick recoveries since they are young. Following this, all older staff are at home now. The BSL-2 laboratory is located at the institute. The director hoped that the affected staff recover and said they would be tested on August 14 and try to open the institute on August 17. He said the COVID isolation ward was currently being managed by recovering COVID staff and so it was much easier to work without the nuclear radiation PPE suits. Dr. Sedevi said a “very large number of staff ” are expected to test positive in the next few days, despite the intensive precautions, drills and trainings conducted. “If things work out well, then most of our staff will be fit to work without fear after two weeks and inspire confidence in patients,” he added. The director also prayed that none would fall very sick.
PPC, PSC oppose screening & trg of new police recruits
DAYO questions handling of Covid-19 patients in Dimapur
State govt orders transfer of DHD medical officers
AS ON august 4, 2020 2405 cases as on Aug 4 COVID-19 STATUS ACTIVE CASES Symptomatic 1019 armed forces AsympRecovMiTotal District Death tomatic grated Cases Critical ICU ered Mild 1031 returnees With Oxygen Dimapur 1032 0 0 167 1206 6* 1 167 frontline workers Kiphire 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Kohima 1 1 147 534 384 0 1 155 traced contacts Longleng 0 0 3 3 0 0 0 33 others Mokokchung 0 0 7 18 11 0 0
DIMAPUR, AUG 4 (NPN): Phom People’s Council (PPC) and Phom Students’ Conference (PSC) have called for halting the proposed screening and training of the newly-recruited police personnel of 12th IRB Chingtok, DEF Longleng and 13th IRB Yajang at 12th IRB HQ Chingtok, Longleng. P Chingan Phom and A Mane Phom, presidents of PPC and PSC respectively, in a press release said with complaints and objections from various Naga tribal hohos, the process should be kept in abeyance until such time an understanding conclusion and settlement was arrived at among the hohos in all districts. They also said it was not advisable to conduct such mass screening and training in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic jeopardising the lives of common people in the district. It may be recalled that the Naga Tribal Union C h ü m o u k e d i m a Tow n (NTUCT) had earlier decided to disallow police training for new recruits at the Police Training School and Nagaland Armed Police Training Centre which was scheduled to be held from February 14, 2020.
This is it!
“They want us to work but again they don’t want to allow us in.” K Y M C
CIHSR shut since Jul 31
D I M A P U R , AU G 4 (NPN): Dimapur Ao Youth Organisation (DAYO), in a representation to the commissioner & secretary Health & Family Welfare, narrated the harassment and trauma involving recent deaths of two patients in Dimapur. DAYO through its president Aotemsu Aier and general secretary S. Pangertoshi said they had ascertained the facts and also held consultations with family members before submitting their letter over the handling of COVID-19 patients in Dimapur. In the first incident, DAYO narrated the case of a 38-year old female patient (Miss Alemlila) who was literally made to go around by four different hospitals till the family took her to Eden Medical Centre (EMC). However, on seeing her condition, DAYO said EMC
advised her to be tested at District COVID Hospital. At the District COVID Hospital, DAYO said the family was asked if the patient had “any direct contact” with another other COVID patient. When replied in the negative, DAYO said the patient was refused admission and the family was asked to procure a letter from the CMO to be tested at the Chümoukedima PHC. After the test at the PHC, the family was again asked to go back to District COVID Hospital and collect the report from the Flu Counter. However, as they sped to the District COVID Hospital, the oxygen in the tank was exhausted. After reaching the District COVID Hospital, they were again made to wait for almost an hour for the result, but by then, the patient who was in the ambulance, passed away.
The body was then taken to deceased’s home at Aoyimti and it was only later in the evening that the result of the COVID test was confirmed as positive. DAYO said the CMO’s report on the incident was a concoction of information which “washed off an integral part of the horrific ordeal.” DAYO narrated the second case involving a youth (Noksang Jamir) who was also asked to take COVID test by a doctor from a Nursing home where he had been admitted. When the patient had gone to the District COVID Hospital, he was asked to bring a referral letter for the test. Later on completion of formalities, DAYO said the family were then advised to go back to the Hospital only if there was no improvement.
D I M A P U R , AU G 4 (NPN): State government has ordered transfer and posting of a few officer medical officers (MOs) of District Hospital Dimapur, and stated that the handing and taking over charge should be completed on or before August 10, 2020. In a notification, Health and Family Welfare (H&FW) department stated that Dr. Tiasunep Pongener CMO Dimapur has been reverted back as deputy director H&FW; Dr. Mereninla Senlem has been posted as CMO Dimapur. Further, Medical Superintendent (MS) Dimapur Hospital Dr. Z Kheshito Zhimo has also been transferred and posted as joint director H&FW vice retirement of Dr. Atoshe Sema and Dr. Kuveduyi Theyo, senior specialist would hold current (Cont’d on p-6) charge of MS, DHD.
BEIRUT, AUG 4 (AP): A massive explosion rocked Beirut on Tuesday, flattening much of the port, damaging buildings across the capital and sending a giant mushroom cloud into the sky. Over 50 people were killed and over 2,700 injured, with bodies buried in the rubble, officials said. Hours later, ambulances still carried away the wounded as army helicopters helped battle fires raging at the port. The sudden devastation overwhelmed a country already struggling with both the coronavirus pandemic and an economic crisis: Beirut hospitals quickly filled beyond capacity, pleading for blood supplies and generators to keep their lights on. The cause of the blast, which sparked fires, overturned cars and blew out windows and doors, was not immediately known. Abbas Ibrahim, chief of Lebanese General Security, said it might have been caused by highly explosive material that was confiscated from a ship some time ago and stored at the port. Local television channel LBC said the material was sodium ni-
(Inset) Massive blast with mushroom cloud rips through Lebanese city. Vehicles and houses damaged after the blast.
trate. Witnesses reported seeing a strange orange-colored cloud over the site after the explosion. Orange clouds of toxic nitrogen dioxide gas often accompany an explosion involving nitrates. An Israeli government official said Israel “had nothing to do” with the blast. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the matter with the media. Israeli officials usually do not comment on “foreign reports.” Health Minister Hassan Hamad said the preliminary toll was 50 dead and more than 2,700 wounded. Emergency teams streamed in
from across Lebanon to help, and injured had to be taken to hospitals outside the capital. Some of those injured lay on the ground at the port, Associated Press staff at the scene said. A civil defense official said there were still bodies inside the port, many under debris. Local TV stations reported that a fireworks warehouse was involved. The fire then appeared to catch at a nearby building, triggering a more massive explosion, sending up a mushroom cloud and a shock wave. Miles from the port, building facades were shredded, balconies were knocked down and windows shattered.
Govt issues SOP for those entering Nagaland Highlights of the SOP for REturnees/Travellers entering Nagaland
A. Designated Point of Entry and Entry Permit: 1. Any returnee/inbound traveller will be permitted only through Dimapur by Train, Air or by Road through the New Field Check Gate and the Dillai Gate; through Khuzama, Kohima district by Road, through Tsutapela and Watiyongpang, Mokokchung district by Road, through Naginimora and Tizit, Mon district by Road, and through Bhandari, Wokha district by Road. 2. Entry into the State through any other route, or by any other mode of travel will not be allowed, except under special circumstances with the approval of the Home Department. 3. For returnee/persons travelling by road, e-Pass should be obtained as per the existing system by applying on iamstranded.nagaland. gov.in website.
B. Screening and inter-district transfers: 1. All returnees/inbound travellers will be screened at the designated entry point or some other convenient location as decided by the respective District Task Force, in which the entry point is located. 2. All returnees/ inbound travellers should have installed the nCOVID Nagaland Visitors App and submitted self declaration through the App by the time of arrival. 3. All returnees/inbound travellers showing no symptom on screening at the designated entry point will be transported to the quarantine centres; and in case the returnees/inbound travellers are bound for some other district, the District Task Force (DTF) of the destination/home district will arrange the transportation of the returnees/inbound travellers from Point of Entry to the quarantine centres in their district. In case there are very few number of returnees/travellers travellers bound for other district at Dimapur or Kohima, and transportation to home district cannot be arranged, then on mutual agreement between the DTF Dimapur/Kohima and the concerned DTF of the destination/home district, such returnees/ inbound travellers may be kept in the quarantine centres in Dimapur or Kohima for undergoing quarantining, and for testing and subsequent release in accordance with the SOP. 4. All returnees/inbound travellers showing COVID-like symptom will be subjected to medical protocols. In case the returnee/inbound traveller is bound for some other district, then based on the fitness, will be retained in
DIMAPUR, AUG 4 (NPN): State government has issued a fresh Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for returnees and travellers entering Nagaland with effect from August 10, 2020.
the District in which the entry point falls, or transported to the respective home/destination district in a separate transport facility.
C. Quarantine: 1. Every inbound traveller/returnee will have to mandatorily undergo institutional quarantining for 7 (seven) days at a facility managed and arranged by the concerned District Task Force or identified hotel/rest house/lodge. 2. In a quarantine centre managed and arranged by the District Task Forces, the following charge will apply: a. The quarantinee will be charged for fooding at a rate fixed by the respective District Task Force. OR b. The quarantinee may opt out and arrange own fooding from outside being delivered at the quarantine facility which should be mandatorily in single use disposable containers and preferably of biodegradable materials. 3. Returnees/Travellers who wish to utilize paid quarantine facility will be allowed to do so and they will be subject to the same provisions of the SOP as applicable to any returnee/traveller undergoing institutional quarantine. 4. The duration of institutional quarantine and discharge/release to home quarantine are subject to the testing and patient condition. In case there is unavoidable delay in release to home quarantine after testing negative, such person shall be kept in a separate facility as far as possible and in which case no retest will be required unless the person turns out to be a High Risk or Low Risk contact of a confirmed case from contact tracing or the person develops COVID-like symptoms in the quarantine centre. 5. For returnees/inbound travellers who are above the age of 60 years, children below the age of 10 years and their parents, pregnant women and accompanying spouse, and patients, they will be screened on arrival with other returnees/travellers. On the advice of the medical team at the entry point/ screening centre, they will be exempted from facility quarantine and will be sent for 21 (twenty one) days home quarantine. The testing of such persons will be done from the 5th to 10th day of arrival. 6. The total duration of quarantine is 21 days. For example, if a returnee/traveller is tested negative after completing 7 days in institutional quarantine, he/she will be sent for home quarantine to complete the 21 days, i.e. 7 days in quarantine centre and 14 days in home quarantine.
As per the SOP, any returnee/inbound traveller would be permitted only through Dimapur by train, air or by road through New Field Check Gate and Dillai Gate; through Khuzama,
Kohima district by road, through Tsutapela and Watiyongpang, Mokokchung district by road, through Naginimora and Tizit, Mon district by road, and Bhandari, Wokha district by road.
Dimapur Police to use bamboo barricades Naga youth cracks UPSC exam, secures 133rd rank
Commissioner of Police Rothihu Tetseo, with officials, after launching the bamboo barricades. (DIPR)
D I M A P U R , AU G 4 (NPN): Amidst Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) with locally available products, Dimapur Police has started using locally-produced bamboo in barricades. Commissioner of police Rothihu Tetseo formally launched the bamboo barricades for the police at the commissionerate here on Tuesday. Speaking on the occasion, Tetseo explained that keeping in mind the Prime
Minister’s vision for an Atmanirbhar Bharat, Dimapur Police has come up with the idea of using bamboo barricades as bamboos are locally available and in plenty, low cost of production and low maintenance, besides to encourage local entrepreneurs. He said the bamboo barricades would be used for saving human lives and regulating traffic rules. The bamboo barricades were manufactured by Khari Design led by Menuolhoulie Kire. Dimapur Police would be using the
bamboo barricades and collapsible wooden barricades for multiple purposes– in road traffic, for road safety and as temporary traffic signs etc. The idea of using bamboos as barricades in traffic management was conceptualised by one of the unit officers, T Henthai Phom, ACP Traffic Zone II. Through the support and encouragement of the commissioner of police and deputy commissioner of police (DCP), traffic, Jatila, the project saw the light of the day.
Meanwhile, amidst the pandemic, Dimapur Police has been working sincerely and has earned a revenue of more than Rs 7 lakh and is still continuing, and the cash realised through challans are deposited in the State government account. Stating this, Tetseo said this was possible because of good team work by the traffic police. He congratulated all traffic police personnel led by DCP traffic and reminded everyone on the importance of traffic regulation. “If you work sincerely, you can save human lives and this is the best opportunity to serve the people,” he told the policemen. The programme was chaired by ACP Traffic Zone II, Henthai Phom, while PBCD pastor Levi Rhakho offered the dedicatory prayers. This was stated in a press release.
Correspondent
KOHIMA, Aug 3 (NPN): After 13 long years, Richard Yanthan, a youth from Nagaland is set to become an IAS officer. He cleared the Union Public Service Commission’s (UPSC) Civil Services Examination (CSE), 2019, results of which were declared on Tuesday. In his first attempt for the UPSC exam in 2018, Yanthan got through the interview stage, but failed to make it to the final list. But in his second attempt, he managed to get through into the final list and was ranked 133 among 829 successful candidates. With 180 vacancies for Indian Administrative Service (IAS) cadre, he is set to become one of the youngest IAS cadres from Nagaland at the tender age of 25. Hailing from Lakhuti village in Wokha district, 25year-old Yanthan is the son
Richard Yanthan (NP)
of late Chenithung James Yanthan and Shilomenla Longchari (NSS), a deputy secretary in the F&CS department. Speaking to Nagaland Post, Yanthan credited God for his success and his mother, who worked hard to ensure that he didn’t compromise with his education. Eldest among his three siblings, his father had passed away when he was in his 4th standard. He did his schooling from Chandmari HSS, before getting enrolled in
Kohima Science College, Jotsoma and then going to Guwahati to pursue his B Tech in Civil Engineering and graduating in 2017. He then took up coaching at Rau’s IAS Study Circle based in New Delhi. After failing his first attempt in 2018, he cleared NPSC 2018 exams, results of which were declared by Nagaland Public Service Commission. Ranked 7th, he was EAC under probation at Nagaland House Delhi since then. Yanthan said initially he had studied for around 11-12 hours per day and reduced this thereafter when his preparations got better. On challenges, he remarked that every stage of the exam presented him different challenges. “But always give your best and at the end you do get rewarded,” he said. (Cont’d on p-6) K Y M C