PHRI staff test negative, NEC sanctions Rs 3 cr

IMPHAL, Apr 3
Whereas samples of all the 16 staff of Peace Hospital and Research Institute who were picked up yesterday and two other samples have been tested negative for COVID-19, the North Eastern Council (NEC) today released Rs 3 crore to the Government of Manipur to fight the COVID-19 outbreak effectively.
This release, being normative share, is in the nature of an untied fund, which can be utilized as gap funding on activities related to COVID-19 pandemic, not covered under existing central packages, according to a statement issued by the NEC Secretariat.
The flexibility of untied funds would enable the State to respond effectively in a timely manner as per the situation on the ground. This release would be in addition to the funds otherwise allocated by the Ministry of DoNER/NEC to the State of Manipur under existing schemes.
The present primary focus of both Central and State Government is to effectively deal with the serious threat posed by COVID-19 and ensure that it is brought under control with the active participation of the whole society, it said.
Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) held detailed review meeting on March 27 through video conferencing.
The meeting was attended by officers of Minis- try of DoNER and North Eastern Council (NEC). The meeting among others deliberated in length the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic and measures being taken to meet the challenges arising out of it in the North Eastern region.
In the meeting, it was decided that DoNER/NEC will provide support of Rs 25 crore to the North Eastern States in support of their efforts to fight the outbreak.
The DoNER Minister shared that concerted efforts is already happening and all efforts will be made to ensure that the North East States are supported in this hour of need, particularly related to medical needs and essential commodities.
As decided at the meeting, the NEC released Rs 3 crore to the State today.
Meanwhile all the 16 people picked up from Peace Hospital and Research Institute (PHRI) on account of their physical contact with the man from Lilong who has been confirmed to be COVID-19 positive during the man’s earlier treatment at the hospital as well as two other samples have been tested negative for the highly contagious virus.
A statement issued by the COVID-19 Common Control Room informed that all the 18 people would still be confined at quarantine centre even though their samples have tested negative.
Subsequent upon confirmation of a positive case of COVID-19 at Lilong Turel Ahanbi, Salam Makha, Darul Uloom Mathak, an active search of symptomatic cases was carried by the district surveillance team of Thoubal. However, no symptomatic case has been detected in the locality of the positive case, it conveyed.
The Control Room further informed that all the 31 high risk co-passengers of the COVID-19 positive man who travelled together in the same Air India flight on March 11 have been traced and contacted.
All the 31 co-passengers have been found to be free of symptoms but they will be under self quarantine at their respective home.
Moreover, they would be put under surveillance as per protocol, it added.