KOHIMA, 13TH AUG: Minister for Health and Family Welfare, S Pangnyu Phom said COVID-19 virus has surprise the entire world including Nagaland which has turned out to be one of the biggest health and socio-economic crisis of our times. Delivering a statement on COVID-19 situation in the Assembly today, Pangnyu said it is natural to get worried and fear of the uncertainty, as presently, science has not been able to find a definite solution to save the mankind from this pandemic. Pangnyu informed the House that initially Nagaland had zero capacity to test COVID-19 in the State, however, it now has two Bio-safety laboratories functional in Kohima and Dimapur while the third lab is being set up at District Hospital Tuensang which is expected to be commissioned by the end of this month.  He said, the State has a total of 29 TrueNat machines including 3 provided by the Union Health Ministry and 6 donated by legislators and Civil Societies of the State. Informing that the State has a capacity to test over 1,200 samples per day, the Minister said additional Rapid Antigen Detection Tests are also now made available for COVID-19 testing while private hospitals and laboratories have been permitted for testing using Truenat and Rapid Antigen Detection Test as per Ministry’s Guideline. Pangnyu said that about 542 doctors, 2 thousand and 65 nurses and various supporting staff under the department is involved in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic and delivering essential health services. He expressed appreciation to the numerous civil societies, Churches, NGOs and individuals for coming forward with generous contributions and cooperating with the Government in the fight against COVID pandemic. The Minister also acknowledged the people of Tuensang and Peren districts for showing exemplary and broad-mindedness for the common good in spite of the untold inconveniences and apprehensions caused. Maintaining that COVID-19 is here to stay, the Minister appealed the members to adopt safety practices and adhere to the Advisories, and also urged them to educate the citizens.