OUR REPORTER AIZAWL, JULY 23
COVID-19 POSITIVE RATE IS EXTREMELY HIGH: GOVT
The Mizoram government on Friday extended total lockdown in Aizawl Municipal Corporation (AMC) and certain Covid-19 curbs in other parts of the state for another 7 days till July 31 to curtail the rising cases of Covid19 and to facilitate the ongoing mass testing drive for Covid-19 in AMC area.
The existing total lockdown, which came into force on July 18, was scheduled to be lifted on July 24.
The order issued on Friday said that the current Covid-19 positive detection rate in the state is extremely high in spite of the stringent measures taken by the government to curb the rising cases.
“It is felt necessary to continue with the current restriction for prevention of further spread of Covid19, and to facilitate the ongoing mass testing conducted by health and family welfare department,” the order said.
“The measures imposed vide order dated July 16 shall continue to be implemented till midnight of July 31,” it added. According to the order issued on July 16, movement of people, including casual visit of neighbours or relatives residing in the same building complex, is strictly prohibited in AMC area during the full lockdown.
Lockdown or certain restrictions may be imposed in other parts of the state by deputy commissioners depending on the Covid-19 situation and assessment made by them, it had said. Earlier, the government had eased lockdown restrictions in AMC area and other parts of the state between June 30 and July 17.
However, the continuous surge in Covid-19 cases compelled the government to reimpose total lockdown in AMC and stringent restrictions in other areas from July 18. All places of worship and religious congregation, educational institutions, public parks, pinic spots, private companies, government offices barring a few, gymnasium, among others, will remain closed in all parts of the state.
Sports practice, public gathering and public amusement are also strictly prohibited in all parts of the state, the order had said.
Essential service like water and electricity supply, medical service, hospital, dispensaries, pharmacies, vaccination, LPG distribution, filing stations, among others, will function normally. All shops will be closed in AMC area except those dealing with essential commodities, which are to be opened as per arrangement made by respective local task forces.
There is no restriction for travelling and transportation of goods outside AMC area, the order had said.
Mizoram on Friday reported 847 new Covid-19 cases, the highest singleday spike since the state reported its first Covid-19 case in March last year.
The state’s Covid-19 count reached 30,492, of which 7,559 are active cases.
As many as 22,802 people have recovered from the infection, including 185 on Friday.
131 people have succumbed to the infection so far.
The recovery rate among Covid19 patients is 74.78 per cent and death toll is 0.42 per cent. The state has tested 5,78,890 samples for Covid-19 till date.
According to state immunisation officer Dr. Lalzawmi, over 6.16 lakh people have been inoculated with Covid-19 vaccine till Thursday of which 1.63 lakh have received both doses of the vaccine.
(Source: The Mizoram Post Vol 19 Issue 58 Aizawl Saturday 24 July http://www.themizorampost.net/page-view?date=24-07-2021&page_no=1)