Nagaland: 'Sealed disinfected coffins of COVID victims safe for last rites’

DIMAPUR: Y Kikheto Sema, the nodal officer for COVID activities in Dimapur and the agriculture production commissioner, said that sealed disinfected coffins containing the bodies of COVID victims are fully secure for burial or cremation, according to the medical department's SOP.

At a press conference held at the Dimapur deputy commissioner's conference hall, Sema urged everyone, regardless of caste, to pay respect and honour to the departed souls.

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He was taken aback by reports that some village authorities or colonies in the district are barring the entry of bodies of COVID-19 victims, even for the purpose of performing last rites.

Misconceptions about COVID victims' coffins, according to Sema, should be refuted. He pleaded with the village authorities not to prevent coffins carrying bodies from entering their villages or colonies.

A team from Dimapur for COVID-19 is working around the clock to ensure that COVID patients get the best possible care.

Dimapur accounts for more than 61 percent of COVID patients in Nagaland because it is Nagaland's main entry point by road, air, and rail, he added.

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He expressed gratitude to the private hospitals who have stepped forward to help battle the pandemic by supplying and arranging beds for COVID patients to the best of their abilities. He also expressed gratitude to the army for erecting temporary beds in various private hospitals throughout the town.

Sema also thanked a number of organisations and individuals for assisting COVID-19 patients in different ways during this difficult period.

Sema appealed to all to extend help to the needy COVID patients, saying this is the right opportunity to help people.

Currently, Dimapur has 296 beds with 40 ICU facility, 192 oxygen beds, 25 non-oxygen beds and 10 makeshift beds for COVID patients, both in government and private hospitals, are operational, and such beds are expected to be increased by 335 by this week, he added.

Moreover, Sema also thanked the media fraternity for rendering their services, and called them as one of the most important frontline workers in the fight against COVID.

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Meanwhile, briefing about COVID-19 management in Dimapur, deputy commissioner Rajesh Soundararajan said restrictions at the entry points are in place.

He said negative RT-PCR reports of the travellers are being checked and those without the report are tested at the entry points.

Dimapur commissioner of police Rothihu Tetseo said the law and order situation in the district is normal. He urged the citizens to restrain themselves and work with a positive attitude.

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