Nagaland sends sample of COVID positive foreign returnee for genome sequencing

KOHIMA: The Nagaland government sent the samples of a man who tested positive for COVID-19 on his return from the USA for genome sequencing to find the variant of the virus.

Principal Director of Health and Family Welfare Dr Neikhrielie Khimiao informed that the person had returned eight days back and was in quarantine as per the laid down protocols and the test result has been found positive.

However, with Nagaland lacking the facility for genome sequencing, the sample has been sent outside the state to detect the variant of the virus and the report is expected in the next 5-6 days, he said.

"Till the result of proper genome sequencing is out, we cannot say whether it is delta or omicron variant," he said.

Dr Khimiao asserted that the Health Department is fully geared up to combat any situation.

"With the impending Omicron variant, we have issued all the necessary information, advisories and orders to all districts for due precautions at all levels...," he said.

In particular, the border districts ' Dimapur, Kohima, Mon, Phek, Wokha and Mokokchung have been asked to remain very cautious with the inbound travellers, he said.

State Nodal Officer for Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, Dr Nyanthung Kikon said that the tools for prevention are the same even for the Omicron variant ' Covid Appropriate Behaviour (CAB) and vaccination.

The severity of Omicron is not as much as the other variant but it's highly transmissible and once it starts transmitting there will be a huge load on the health infrastructure with increase in hospitalization and unfortunate incidents might take place, he said.