Dimapur: S Richard Humtsoe, the chairman of Indian Human Rights Council for the state of Nagaland, issued a press release on Monday morning condemning the state government of Nagaland for their total negligence in combating the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, in a press release issued later, the department of health and family welfare clarified, “The department of health & family welfare would bring to light since January 18, 2020 the activities have been put into action. With the evolving situation of the outbreak, informed and measured actions have been taken.”
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The press release issued by the IHRC on Monday read: “It is learnt that there were suspected COVID-19 cases sent from referral hospital, Zion Hospital and Eden Hospital that went lost or not tested.” In reply to the statement, the department of health & family welfare clarified: “In matters relating to sample testing, those that do not fit into the laid down criteria by the MOHFW, samples if so collected and sent for testing, it will be rejected by the testing laboratories.”
The department further clarified that one sample was sent for testing as of 13:00 hours on March 23 and the result was tested negative. Earlier in the day, the minister of health and family welfare of the state tweeted through his official account where he mentioned: “One suspected sample was send for testing and the result came out negative. There’s no COVID19 positive case in Nagaland as of now. Public are advised not to circulate any news without proper authentication. Any development news will be informed to the general public by the dept.”
One suspected sample was send for testing and the result came out negative.There’s no COVID19 positive case in Nagaland as of now.
Public are advised not to circulate any news without proper authentication. Any development news will be informed to the general public by the dept. pic.twitter.com/n1q7ZQM6CB— S Pangnyu Phom (@pangnyu) March 23, 2020
The department of health & family welfare added: “The government of Nagaland is well aware that this pandemic COVID-19 is beyond the health system involving the full machinery of the government at hand. The department appeals to the public not to spread rumours/panic but corporate with the government.”