- High sample positivity rate signifies large undetected cases
- Many cases remain unreported
DIMAPUR, JANUARY 22: Nagaland reported 582 new cases of COVID-19 in the past week (Jan. 15-21) with a weekly sample positivity rate of 11%.
Dimapur (461), Kohima (96) and Peren (22) reported maximum cases. However, many cases remain unreported from self-tests at home, said the weekly COVID-19 bulletin issued by the State Health Department.
Health Department said Dimapur (12.8%), Kohima (11.8%) and Peren (10.6%) reported more than 10% weekly sample positivity rate. High sample positivity rate signifies large undetected cases in the population, it cautioned.
Due to increase in cases, high positivity rate and an increasing trend in hospitalizations, Dimapur and Kohima have been put under situational level 2. All effort must be made to reduce super spreader events, it said.
Also 67% of cases were in the category of “self-test/random tests” among those reporting with symptoms, testing for the purpose of travelling, etc. The Health Department strongly advised symptomatic cases to isolate and get tested.
The State reported 22 new COVID-19 hospital admissions compared to 7 as of previous week, a 214% increase. Dimapur (14) and Kohima (8) recorded all new weekly admissions.
Two COVID-19 deaths were reported at Dimapur taking the total deaths to 689.
Meanwhile, 14.41 lakh doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered across the State including 38,461 teenagers between 15-18 years of age.
The Health Department said vaccines remain the best tool against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Among the symptomatic cases in 2022, 6% have been classified under severe category. The severe cases were 23% in 2020 and 27% in 2021. However, caution must be exercised on interpreting clinical severity as hospitalizations and deaths follow only weeks after increase in cases. (Page News Service)
