The ICMR allocated two TrueNat Uno machines for the state of Nagaland through the National Tuberculosis Elimination Program.

As revised on 19/05/2020, the TrueNat system is now a comprehensive assay for screening and confirmation of COVID-19 cases.

The assay comprises of following two steps.

Step 1: This is E gene screening assay. All samples of suspect COVID-19 should be first tested by this assay. All negatives are to be
considered as true negatives. All positive samples should be subjected to confirmation by step 2 assay.


Step 2: RdRp gene confirmatory assay. All samples that test positive by this assay must be considered as true positive.

No further RT-PCR based confirmation is required for samples that are positive after step 2 of the assay above.

All positive and negative results must be reported to ICMR portal in real time manner.

TrueNat machines are placed at

  1. Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital (IMDH), Mokokchung
  2. District Hospital, Mon

Both the laboratories are functional.

Reference:

  1. Guidance on the use of TruenatTM beta CoV
  2. Additional Guidelines for TrueNat testing for COVID-19
  3. Approval for COVID-19 Screening Rest Using TrueNat (4th May, 2020)
  4. Revised Guidelines for TrueNat testing for COVID-19 (19th May, 2020)

Inauguration of TrueNat machine at IMDH Mokokchung by Hon’ble Minister of Health and Family Welfare Shri S Pangnyu Phom on 1st May, 2020

Government of Nagaland launched a COVID-19 toll free helpline on 04th May, 2020. Any caller from Nagaland or people from Nagaland residing outside the State can avail the services. For the various services described below, the caller has to only dial the dedicated toll free number    1800 345 0019. Services are available in English and Nagamese.

On calling the number, there will be a welcome message following which the caller will be asked to choose a language preference:

  • To speak in English, press 1
  • To speak in Nagamese, press 2

Then the caller will be asked to choose one of the following services:

  • To speak to a Doctor, Press 1
  • To speak to a Counsellor, Press 2
  • For nCOVID Nagaland Visitors App support, press 3
  • For general queries on COVID-19 in Nagaland, press 4
  • For complaint or grievance, press 5

The services are elaborated below:

SERVICE 1: SPEAK TO A DOCTOR / TELE-MEDICAL CONSULTATION

Under this service, there are two options:

  • For COVID-19 related illnesses, Press 1
  • For any other illness/other health issues, press 2
  1. COVID-19 related illnesses

The caller will be screened for COVID-19 related symptoms through interactive voice response. Then a medical doctor will call back and provide appropriate advice to the caller.

The process is as follows:

  • For English, press 1
  • For Nagamese, press 2
  • If you have fever, breathing difficulty or dry cough? Press 1 ,otherwise  Press 2
  • During the last 2 weeks, did you come in contact with anybody who has been diagnosed with Corona Virus? Press 1 for yes and Press 2 for no.

Thank you for contacting our helpline. One of our doctors will go through your case and call you back.

A medical doctor will call back and provide advice based on the response of the caller.

  1. Any other illness / other health issues

A medical doctor will pick the call and the caller will be able to discuss any health issue with the doctor. The doctor will accordingly give appropriate medical advice to the caller.

SERVICE 2: COUNSELLING

Caller can speak to a professional counselor for stress, anxiety, depression, or any mental health issue.

NB: Counselling through WhatsApp request to the number 7005251298 will continue alongside.

SERVICE 3: nCOVID NAGALAND VISITORS APP USER SUPPORT

Caller will receive technical support for on-boarding onto ‘nCOVID Nagaland Visitors App’. The App is used by in-bound travelers entering Nagaland, people who are in quarantine (facility or home quarantine), and people in containment zone for surveillance of COVID-19.

SERVICE 4: GENERAL QUERIES ON COVID-19 IN NAGALAND / COVID INFORMATION CENTRE

Caller can ask general queries about COVID-19 in Nagaland.

SERVICE 5: COMPLAINTS AND GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL

Caller can submit complaint or grievance related to COVID-19 related health services in Nagaland.

Toll Free Number Service Action
1800 345 0019 SPEAK TO A DOCTOR COVID-19 RELATED ILLNESS A Doctor will call back the caller and provide advice
ANY OTHER ILLNESS Speak to a Doctor
COUNSELLING Speak to a Counsellor
‘nCOVID NAGALAND VISITORS APP’ SUPPORT Speak to an Agent
GENERAL QUERIES ON COVID-19 IN NAGALAND  / COVID INFORMATION CENTRE Speak to an Agent
COMPLAINT OR GRIEVANCE Speak to an Agent

NB: The Toll Free Helpline is not for people who are stranded or needing COVID relief assistance. Such people may contact through:  https://iamstranded.nagaland.gov.in/ or call 03702291122 / 03702291120.

Authorization

Under the powers conferred by the Nagaland Epidemic Disease (COVID-19) Regulations, 2020 regulation No. 6, the Chief Medical Officers of the district are designated as ‘Authorized persons’ under the Act.

The movement of the patients whether inter-State or intra-State may be accordingly permitted as issued by the authority of the Chief Medical Officer for patients belonging to the respective district.

The State has issued orders regarding processes to be followed before issuing of movement order/permit for patients:

For Patients Referral Outside the State

During the current COVID-19 pandemic, in the event of a patient requiring to be referred outside the State for non-COVID illnesses, the treating doctor/hospital must ensure that the following due processes are followed before issuing movement order / permit:

  1. The treating doctor shall screen the patient for COVID-like symptoms. If the patient fulfills the latest ICMR criteria for testing, the patient will be tested for COVID-19. No patient should travel before the result is received.
  2. If the test result is positive, the patient will not be allowed to be referred outside the State under any condition.
  3. If the test result is negative, the patient will enclose the report while applying for movement order/permit to travel.
  4. If the patient does not qualify the criteria for testing, the treating doctor must put in writing the diagnosis of the patient with an undertaking that the patient does not exhibit any COVID-like signs and symptoms, and is not a suspected case for COVID-19 (See reference No.3 below for format).
  5. While applying for movement order / permit, it will be mentioned if the referral to hospital outside the State is on the patient’s request or the doctor’s referral.
  6. The hospital outside the State to which the patient is referred, should be willing to accept the patient. A written document in this regard (an acceptance note by the hospital) should be enclosed when the patient is applying for referral or movement order / permit.

For Patients Returning from Outside the State

Movement order/permit will be issued if patients are discharged or referred back to the State. For those patients who are returning but still require hospitalization, patient party should arrange hospital within the State before arrival (to avoid patients being turned away by hospital).

The SOP for patients returning home will be followed on arrival (See Reference No. 5).

Reference:

  1. The Nagaland Epidemic Disease (COVID 19) Regulations 2020 (18th March, 2020)
  2. Authorization of District Health Authority for Issuing Movement Permit-Order of Patients (13th May, 2020)
  3. Processes for Referring non-COVID Patient Outside State (7th May, 2020)
  4. Addendum to order on patients referred outside the State (8th May, 2020)
  5. Revised Management Plan for inbound travellers, patients and attendants (13th May, 2020) 

 

WHO has not issued or endorsed  any “lockdown protocol”

There is no scientific evidence to support this claim.

Holding your breath for more than 10 seconds without discomfort does not prove whether you are infected or not.

While there has been one instance of a dog being infected in Hong Kong, to date, there is no evidence that a dog, cat or any pet can transmit Covid-19.

Regular intake of Vitamin C-boosts immunity. However excessive intake is not recommended.

People of all ages can be infected by the new coronavirus. Older people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease) appears to be more vunarable.