Steps have been initiated to take up COVID-19 vaccination in Manipur as per a directive of the Union ministry of Health, according to Manipur Health director Dr K Rajo.
Attending the weekly media briefing on COVID-19 status update on Friday, the Health director said that the decline in the detection of fresh COVID-19 cases in the last few weeks showed that people of the state have responded positively to the COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) after the state government created awareness to the masses under committees formed at state, districts and local levels.
Intensifying the fight against the pandemic in the backdrop of surging positive and fatality cases of COVID-19 in the state, Manipur government had constituted committees at various levels and conducting awareness to the people on the appropriate behaviours that prevent contracting the virus.
People in Ukhrul district responded positively, the Health director pointed out and claimed that there was marked decline in detecting fresh positive persons in the district. The decline in the number of COVID-19 positive persons in the district was detected during recent sero-surveillance drive conducted in four districts including Ukhrul district, Dr Rajo said.
However, he cautioned the people of a second wave in the state, saying that the virus gets stronger with the onset of winter. “People still need to wear face masks while going out in public places and keep maintaining social distancing”, he said.
Meanwhile, the state Health department is preparing to begin COVID-19 vaccination programme in the state from January 2021 and identification of beneficiaries of the first phase The Health director expressed hope of availability of the COVID-19 vaccine in the country by January next year. He also said that the preparation is being made on the instruction of the Union Health ministry and priority will be given to the healthcare workers and healthcare service providers during the first phase of the vaccination programme.
NNN