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Nagaland gets state-of-the-art lab for COVID-19 diagnosis

By Correspondent - 15 Sep 2010 12:00 AM GMT

DIMAPUR, May 21 - Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today inaugurated the first BSL-3 (Bio Safety Level) laboratory at the Naga Hospital Authority, Kohima, for research and diagnostic work on the COVID-19 virus and other microbes.

Speaking on the occasion, Rio said it was another milestone for the State�s healthcare system. He thanked the people and other States for helping in the establishment of the laboratory amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Rio also thanked the State Medical Department and acknowledged the support received from various ministries, agencies, scientists and doctors.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister stressed that stranded people returning to Nagaland from different States should abide by the directives on quarantine. The only way to control and contain the spread of the virus is by conducting tests on quarantined people, he said.

Rio urged the public not to stigmatize the returnees and continue their support to the Government in the fight against the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Social activist and Padma Shree awardee Neidonuo Angami, who was also present in the programme, said that the laboratory has been set up on an urgent basis for COVID-19 testing. Angami added that the specialised BSL laboratory is equipped to quickly respond to other new infections whenever they emerge.

Nagaland Health and Family Welfare Minister S Pangnyu Phom said the several hurdles had to be overcome during establishment of the state-of-the-art BSL-3 laboratory due to the pandemic-induced lockdown. Phom said Nagaland now has a specialised facility compared to other States, which only have BSL-2 laboratories.

Dimapur traffic: In view of the scheduled arrival of a Special Shramik train carrying stranded people from Chennai around 1 pm on Friday, all vehicular traffic will be prohibited within Dimapur town for one hour before the arrival of the train.

The vehicle restrictions will also apply to the exempted categories, Dimapur Commissioner of Police Rothihu Tetseo said in a notification on Thursday.