ZSU for COVID test labs in dists

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, May 28: The Zeliangrong Students' Union, Manipur (ZSUM) has appealed State Government to instal COVID-19 test labs in district hospitals to enhance testing capacity and avoid backlog of test samples and results.
With increase in the number of stranded State natives coming back from cities across India amid the COVID-19 lockdown, the State should have a daily testing capacity of at least 1,000, it said in a statement today.
Highlighting grievances of inmates, ZSUM mentioned that a commotion broke out at an institutional quarantine centre at Noney on March 26 when health staff came for sample collection. Swab samples of five inmates were not collected due to shortage of test kits which resulted in the commotion. Three inmates at the centre were allegedly assaulted by some police personnel and volunteers on duty, claimed the ZSUM.
Urging authorities concerned to strictly enforce COVID-19 safety and precautionary measures, ZSUM said toilets and other facilities should be well sanitised and nutritious food, drinking water should be made available to the inmates.
Appealing volunteers and health authorities to follow standard operating procedures while transporting inmates and maintaining the quarantine facilities, ZSUM said that awareness campaign should reach grassroots level with community involvement to face COVID-19 successfully.
The union also appreciated Chief Minister N Biren Singh, frontline warriors including doctors, nurses, paramedical staff, security forces, people in essential services, drivers and transporters for their services and dedication amid the pandemic.