Can't save lives if contagion spreads
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: July 06, 2021 -

APART from accelerating the vaccination exercise, confirmation of 69 more Delta variant cases in the state definitely calls for most intense contact tracing exercise to contain further spread of the pandemic as the World Health Organisation has declared the virus mutant as a variant of concern.

With cluster infections periodically reported from many suburban pockets and outlying districts, there had been strong suspicion even among the masses that the speed at which the contagion has been spreading must be due to infection from a more virulent variant of the virus.

The public apprehension has now been validated with the state currently having a total of 87 confirmed cases of Delta variant with over half of the cases detected among residents in Imphal West district, which is the most populated parts of the state and remains the commercial hub.

While earlier detection of 18 cases of Delta variant out nearly 24 samples examined served as warning sign about the impending grim pandemic scenario and futility of the various containment measures, all 69 samples sent on June 8 for Whole Genome Sequencing to the NIBMG Kalyani in West Bengal returning positive for the same mutant virus underscores gravity of the situation.

Even more worrisome is that the state has no facility to carry out genome sequencing but to wait for confirmation from the Kalyani laboratory during which there is strong possibility of many others contracting the variant.

The 69 new cases already spread to seven districts including in two hill districts implies that there could be more vectors carrying the same variant and continuously spreading to family members, neighbours and the locality.

Interestingly, maximum numbers of the Delta variant patients found to be among the unvaccinated group of people should drive home the message to the vaccine hesitant citizens that avoiding vaccination is fraught with great danger.

It is equally important for the government authorities to take advantage of prevalence of Delta variant in the state for intensifying the vaccination campaign and launching vigorous campaign to convince all the vaccine doubters but eligible for the inoculation to protect themselves from the contagion.

Along with renewed thrust on making the people fully aware about the importance of adhering to the safety protocols, the government should maximise its efforts in tracing primary as well as secondary contacts of the vectors in order to keep the pandemic situation under control.

The public must be persuaded not to believe in the unfounded reports being circulated on social media but to take the jab and be one ofthe warriors in battling the virus.

It is also high time for the government to launch extensive publicity campaign through efficient usage of manpower and machinery to contain the virus before it heaps more miseries upon the people.

With Delta variant already reported in nearly 100 countries coupled with the possibility that Manipur might have more Delta cases than the confirmed ones, there is no foreseeable reason why the state government should continue to wait for formal directives from New Delhi.

The government needs no reminding that the people wouldn't be satisfied with the repetitive claims that saving lives of the citizens is being accorded top priority in case the pandemic could not be contained.