State govt, NEIGRIHMS gear up for third wave

SHILLONG, Dec 28: With Manipur reporting its first case of Omicron on Monday, the state government is gearing up for an anticipated third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A source from the state Health department confirmed that a resident of the city has been identified as a high-risk contact of an Omicron positive patient from outside the state. The contact is currently under isolation for seven days, the source said, adding the contact has tested negative for COVID-19.
Meanwhile, the North East Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS), which played a significant role during the first two waves of COVID-19, is preparing for an onslaught of the virus.
NEIGRIHMS Director, Dr Nalin Mehta said the institute is prepared to handle a third wave. The doctors and nurses are on high alert and orders have been issued for strict compliance of the COVID protocols, Dr Mehta said.
“If we can prevent a third wave, we can save lot of lives,” he said, adding that the institute has adequate stock of oxygen, sufficient number of intensive care units and experienced people at hand.
Asking citizens to get vaccinated, Dr Mehta said the Paediatric department at the hospital has been asked to prepare well since there are indications that children may be susceptible to Omicron.
Asserting that the institute will continue to create awareness on COVID-19, the NEIGRIHMS Director advised people to follow the protocols and not to venture out of their homes unnecessarily.