AIZAWL, June 4 - The number of COVID-19 cases in Mizoram has risen to 16 after three women � all returnees who were under quarantine � tested positive late on Wednesday night. They hail from Lunglei, Mamit and Saitual districts, official sources said.
�The Government of Mizoram in its full capacity will ensure the safety of each and everyone who is subjected to risk by this pandemic. This is our moment to stand together as one,� Chief Minister Zoramthanga tweeted today.
As most of the positive cases are non-reactive to rapid antibody test (RAT), the Mizoram Government has made it mandatory for all returnees from Red Zones to undergo RT-PCR test.
Dr ZR Thiamsanga, MLA and chairman of the COVID-19 Medical Operation Team, said except for one, all the COVID-19 patients were non-reactive to RAT. �Even though they were non-reactive to RAT, we still drew their swab samples for RT-PCR test because they had returned from Red Zones and the results were positive,� he said.
�All those who returned from Red Zones and non-reactive to RAT, will be subjected to RT-PCR test also. Those who are about to complete their quarantine period will not be released until RT-PCR test is done on them,� he said.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Dr R Lalthangliana said the Mizoram Government would soon get four more RT-PCR machines to boost its testing capacity.
The State Government has also installed two TrueNat machines in Lunglei town in south Mizoram and procured another two such machines, he said.
The Health Minister said the State Government is making all-out efforts to deal with the present situation efficiently and prevent further spread of novel coronavirus in the State.
