Manipur official allays fears of COVID-19 community transmission

As reports of 27 policemen testing positive for COVID-19 triggered panic in parts of Manipur's Jiribam, a senior official allayed fears of community transmission and said all of m h come in contact with a colleague who was recently diagsed with disease.

Talking to reporters on Saturday, K Rajo, director of Manipur health and family welfare services, said re h been " instance of COVID-19 community transmission in state" and necessary measures being taken to curb spre of disease.

"Most of COVID-19 patients in state are people who have returned from elsewhere... from pockets where y have living under quarantine following ir return," he said.

On July 1, one police personnel involved in screening returnees upon ir arrival to Jiribam by train was found to have contracted disease.

"Shortly after, 170 individuals who h come in contact with officer were identified and placed under quarantine. Of m, 27 were diagsed with disease, all of m policemen. But that, however, is t an instance of community transmission," Rajo explained.

Community transmission occurs "when disease spres from a person who has t been outside state, and whose contact history cant be traced", he ded.

Meanwhile, sole railway station at Jiribam on Saturday wore a deserted look, after news of 27 cases in district spre among people.

Manipur currently has 1,325 vel coronavirus cases, of which 658 are currently active patients, an official of COVID-19 Common Control Room here said.

Altoger 667 people have discharged so far, with recovery rate standing at 50.33 pc, official said.