Imphal: COVID 19 cases in Manipur are rising again, with 29 new infections reported on Friday, bringing the total number of active cases in the state to 82, health officials confirmed. The new cases were detected in three districts of the Imphal Valley, where most of the state’s population resides.
Of the 29 new cases, 22 were from Imphal West, 6 from Imphal East, and 1 from Thoubal district. This means that Imphal West remains the worst affected area, with a total of 52 active cases. Imphal East has 21, followed by Bishnupur with 4, Thoubal and Tengnoupal with 2 cases each, and Kakching with 1 case.
Most of these districts lie in the Imphal Valley, except for Tengnoupal, which is a tribal-dominated area located in the hills.
This recent wave of infections began earlier this month, with the first case reported on June 9, when a 23-year-old woman from Bishnupur district tested positive for COVID-19. According to Dr. Chambo Gonmei, Director of Manipur Health Services, the woman developed symptoms and got tested at a private clinic in Imphal on June 5. Her results came back positive four days later.
Dr. Gonmei has urged the public to stay alert, especially as cases are rising in other states across India. He also reminded people to follow safety guidelines and stay updated on health advisories.
In response to the situation, Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla chaired a COVID-19 review meeting at Raj Bhavan. Present at the meeting were Chief Secretary Prashant Kumar Singh, senior health officials, and other key authorities.
Officials briefed the governor on the state’s preparedness, including testing capacity, availability of oxygen, ICU beds, isolation wards, and essential medicines. Challenges related to medical infrastructure and logistics were also discussed.
The governor emphasized the importance of taking preventive action, strengthening the healthcare system, and increasing public awareness to ensure Manipur remains prepared for any possible surge in COVID-19 cases.