Manipur government has decided to impose total lockdown for a week from 2 pm on July 23 as local transmission of COVID-19 was suspected.
Chief Minister N Biren Singh announced that the lockdown will be extended by another week, if necessary.
Singh, while addressing the media in Imphal on July 22, said that there were sudden spike of COVID-19 cases in some places and it was feared that local transmission may have occurred.
Quarantine and other procedures should be strictly followed, he said.
The state cabinet, consultative committee on July 22 discussed the development. The meeting discussed reports of people violating the guidelines.
“Those violating the lockdown will be punished and fines will be imposed against all those who violate the lockdown. About 300 doctors will be recruited as there is shortage of doctors. As an immediate arrangement 100 doctors, 90 nurses and other paramedical staff will be recruited,” the chief minister said.
The state has about 1289 beds to look after COVID-19 patients. Additional 700 beds will be added soon, officials said.
The total number of positive cases in the state stands at 2060 while 642 of them are still active. The number of recovered patients in the state was 1418.
In the past 24 hours, 45 persons were confirmed as new COVID-19 positive cases.
The patients belong to Churachandpur, Imphal East, Jiribam, Thoubal, Senapati and Ukhrul districts. They were shifted to the COVID care facilities.
In the past 24 hours, 34 persons were discharged from COVID Care centres after they recovered from the disease.
