ES Reporter

NAHARLAGUN, Jul 28: The state health department intends to achieve first dose inoculation of Covid vaccine for all above 18 years by August 15.
“We have segregated all the districts and given them everyday targets. We also have plans on achieving the same with the second dose. However, the healthcare workers are facing issues, such as inclement weather and poor road connectivity,” State Immunization Officer, Dr D Padung said.
As of 27 July,  63 percent of the eligible beneficiaries as per the census estimate has been inoculated, he said, adding that the electoral rolls and household surveys show higher vaccination coverage.
Regarding vaccine availability, Dr Padung informed that the state currently has 3,37,320 doses to be used during the next 10 to 15 days.
“All the districts have been provided vaccines ranging from 5,000 to 20,000 doses. The Government of India is allocating another four lakh doses for the next month,” he informed.
A total of 6, 67,469 people have been inoculated with the first dose, while 1,68,665 have been given their second dose till July 27.
Giving an overview of the Covid situation in the state, State Nodal Officer for Covid-19, Dr L Jampa informed that the state has been reporting 300 to 400 Covid positive cases and 2 to 5 deaths daily.
He, however, informed that “the state’s mortality rate is .47 percent, much below the national figure of 1.25 percent.”
“There have been 221 Covid deaths till date. Of the 165 deaths in the second wave (till 27 July), 125 were unvaccinated, 33 were partially vaccinated and seven people (and with comorbidity) were fully vaccinated. The data shows that vaccination is helping in preventing Covid deaths. If more and more people come forward to take the vaccination, it will be a step towards the right direction by the public,” he said.

At present, the state’s recovery rate is 90.37 percent.
He also informed that health officials visited various places in the state and observed that Covid appropriate behaviour was not being followed.
Capital District Medical Officer, Dr M Perme informed that the capital region currently has 1,257 active cases (10 days Home Isolation monitoring plus 4 days self Isolation) spread across all 20 wards under the Itanagar Municipal Corporation as of 27 July.
The DMO said “There is distribution of cases across the capital and we have to seriously consider measures to protect ourselves.”
He also informed that the state health task force (SHTF) is scheduled to conduct a meeting and discuss on the use of Covid home testing kits.
“Unless the SHTF comes up with a protocol, we request those who use such testing kits at home, to at least provide information to the rapid response teams when someone tests positive,” the DMO said.
He also requested people to come forward for the random tests conducted by the rapid response teams.
“This is a very serious illness. Please do not take it lightly. If you are negative then it’s well and good, but if you are positive then we can provide medicines and timely medical care,” he said.
 He also informed that the state capital region has the second highest vaccination rate, after East Siang district.
The DMO requested those who are reluctant to take the vaccine due to rumours, not to believe social media posts which have not been authenticated or approved by the government.
“In order to learn to live with Covid, we need to protect ourselves through appropriate Covid behaviour issued by health officials as well as get vaccinated,” he added.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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