By Waikhom Chitradhani
Imphal(Manipur), July 10: Manipur reported 788 fresh positive cases in the past 24 hours.
The positivity rate now stands at 15.78 per cent.
With 7 more fresh COVID-19 deaths reported during the same period, the fatality tally has risen to 1,258.
Of these total infections, 76,820 persons, the number of active cases is 6,908. The recovery rate stood at 89.66%, the state health department reported.
Meanwhile ,the state Health department started conducting a special drive of house to house COVID-19 testing across the state .
The COVID-19 situation in the state is critical as genome sequencing tests have shown that all new COVID-19 cases in the state are Delta variants which have higher transmissibility and also higher possibility of adverse symptoms.
“Therefore, it is vital to collectively renew efforts to break the chain of COVID-19 transmission,” an order issued by state chief secretary Rajesh Kumar to commence taking up stringent measures said.
The order observed that undetected COVID-19 positive persons are another major source of spreading corona virus infection.
As such, all persons should take COVID-19 tests immediately and self isolate whenever there is any symptom or doubts about contact with COVID-19 positive person.
Free testing will be available in all the districts, the order stated while spelling out various guidelines to be followed after declaring micro-containment zones.
The special drive of house to house COVID-19 testing will be taken up by sending out mobile teams. This special drive will be over and above the contact tracing and testing which will go on as usual, the order stated.
In the drive, deputy commissioners and chief medical officers of each district will coordinate with elected representatives and local youth clubs in the special drive.
Daily curfew to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the state has been extended till July 20 but shortened to night only.
There will be curfew from 7 pm to 5 am in all the districts of the state till July 20, the state Home department stated in an order extending the COVID-19 restrictions in the state.
However, restrictions to curb the spread of the virus except permitted activities will continue further.
Above the activities which were relaxed from the purview of the curfew, opening of authorized service centres of personal computers and mobiles will be allowed from 10 am to 2 pm on the days when grocery shops are closed as per the order.
Further, opening up will depend on the Covid-19 scenario and the progress in vaccination, it added.
Vegetable vendors and grocery shops will be allowed to open from 7 am to 10 am on July 12, 15 and 18 with strict adherence to the COVID-19 SOPs and other related guidelines.
While passing the order, the state Home department stated that COVID-19 situation in the state continued to be of concern and still warrants measures to control the spread of the infection.
