DIMAPUR, April 17 - Altogether 141 samples of people, including co-passengers, healthcare workers and family members of the COVID-19 patient from Dimapur, have been collected and sent for testing. The patient had tested positive for the virus at the GMCH in Guwahati, Assam, on April 12, where he is currently undergoing treatment.
Nagaland Principal Secretary (Home) Abhijit Sinha, in a statement on the COVID-19 situation in the State, today said that out of the 141 samples, the results of 138 have been received and all are negative. The results of three samples are still awaited.
As of 6 pm on Friday, a total of 274 samples were sent for tests from the State, including 48 samples on Friday, he said.
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has held a meeting through video conferencing with all deputy commissioners, SPs and chief medical officers to review implementation of lockdown measures and the state of preparedness against COVID-19, Sinha said.
The districts gave a detailed briefing on their preparedness and highlighted various issues. Rio praised everyone for their efforts and advised the officers to maintain vigil and make further interventions to enhance the level of preparation.
Clarification: The Nagaland Finance Department has drawn attention towards a news item being circulated on the social media about the sum of Rs 32.641 crore released by the Union Finance Ministry on March 3 to the State and comments on how funds are being used to battle the COVID-19 pandemic.
The department clarified that the amount is the revenue deficit grant recommended by the 15th Finance Commission to be released to the State every month during 2020-21. This amount is meant to cover the shortfall in revenue expenditure requirements of the State Government like salaries, pensions, interest payments and other recurring expenses. There is no possibility of using this amount for COVID-19 expenses as is being alleged, the department stated.
