No.294/2021-2022 

Aizawl the 20th September, 2021 : A review meeting on the COVID-19 situation in Mizoram, led by the Health Minister Dr R. Lalthangliana was held on Saturday (18/09/2021) at the SAD Conference Hall, MINECO. In attendance were DM&R Minister Pu Lalchamliana, MOT Chairman Dr. ZR Thiamsanga, Chief Secretary Pu Lalnunmawia Chuaungo, AMC Councillors, officials of Health Department including ZMC, Police Department and the Aizawl District administration, and representatives from Aizawl City Local Council Association, MKHC, IMA and NGO Coordination Committee.

Health Minister Dr R. Lalthangliana lauded those present for their continued efforts in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic, which has wreaked havoc in the State since March of last year. He however reiterated that the battle is far from over, and focus now should be on bolstering critical care facility, and stepping up the vaccination drive, especially in remote far-flung areas of the State.

According to report laid out by the Police Contact Tracing Team, 85 Local Councils under AMC and 406 localities/towns/villages outside AMC reported new cases of Covid-19 during September 1^st – 15^th, with 16 cases detected from those entering the state from outside. A total of 15,458 new cases (males – 7342 and females - 8116) were reported during this period, with the 11 – 20 age group accounting for the highest number of new cases at 3192, followed by the 21 – 30 age group at 2997 new infections, followed by those aged below 10 at 2850 new infections. Under AMC area, Bawngkawn, Bethlehem Vengthlang, Thuampui, Zemabawk, Tuikual South, republic, Bethlehem, Ramthar, ITI, Durtlang Leitan respectively had the highest number of new cases during the period of study ie September 1^st – 15^th.

At this meeting, it was reported that the lone Dedicated COVID Hospital in the state -Zoram Medical College (ZMC) continues to handle an influx of patients, with both the Covid Ward and the ICU stretched to their limits. The 34 bedded ICU is constantly operating at 100% occupancy, and immediately needs to be augmented, it was reported. ZMC officials also reported severe staff shortage at the hospital stating that there is a definite need for more manpower, especially with the renewed surge in COVID-19 cases.

Two newly installed oxygen plants - 200 LPM Oxygen Plant under SEDP and 300 LPM Oxygen Plant under PM Cares have been successfully installed and are in use, with another 1000 LPM Oxygen Plant under PM Cares also in the pipeline.

With regards to expansion of critical care facility at the Civil Hospital Aizawl, it was reported that 10 new ICU beds and 4 new PICU Beds are at near completion stage.

It was also highlighted that since the start of the Covid-19 vaccination drive on the 16th January of this year, the State has so far given out first dose of vaccine to 87% of eligible citizens. The Minister called upon those present to put in more intensified efforts to sensitize and motivate unvaccinated eligible citizens to come forward and take the vaccine. The meeting also chalked up strategies to ramp up the vaccination efforts, with plans to assign mobile teams to reach the last mile citizens and those that cannot travel to the vaccination session sites.