Dimapur: Amid surging Covid-19 infections in the Christian majority Nagaland, Governor R N Ravi has requested Church leaders to influence people to follow coronavirus protocols.

The governor held a meeting on April 19 with leaders of various Christian denominations in Nagaland at Dr Imkongliba Hal inside Raj Bhavan, his residence, in Kohima, capital of the northeastern Indian state.

The governor discussed the Covid-19 situation in the country as well as in Nagaland. He told the Church leader to use their moral and spiritual authority to save people from the pandemic.

On April 19, Nagaland reported 13 positive cases, taking the state’s caseload to 12,568. On the same day, India reported nearly 260,000 cases.

The governor told the Church leaders they have moral and spiritual authority and influence over people and urged them to use that capital to save the citizens of the state from the pandemic by making people more aware of the challenges of the disease and the need for strictly adhering to Covid-19 protocols.

He also advised the Church leaders to make the people strictly adhere to the Covid-19 appropriate behaviors, informed a press release from the governor’s public relations officer.

The governor also expressed concern over inhibitions of people in Nagaland to receive vaccination and prevalence of adverse rumors in this regard. He advised the Church leaders to educate and encourage eligible persons to get vaccinated as the current ratio of vaccination in the State is one of the lowest in the country.

“In this extraordinary situation where the entire society is facing the stress due to Covid-19 pandemic,” the governor reminded the Church of their significant role.

He also thanked the Church leaders for their suggestions which he said would be forwarded to the government for follow-up.

Altogether 115,392 people were vaccinated in Nagaland until April 18, state Immunization Officer Doctor Ritu Thurr said.

They included 42,634 frontline workers, 13,353 healthcare professionals and 31,036 senior citizens.

Health Minister S Pangnyu Phom in a tweet on April 19 said, “13 positive cases of Covid-19 reported today. 12 in Dimapur, 1 in Kohima.’ Nagaland currently has 189 active cases while 12,110 people have recovered from the disease so far. The death toll remained unchanged at 94, a health department official said.

Besides, 175 other patients have migrated to other states.

The state did not report any recovery for the third consecutive day bringing down the recovery rate to 96.35 percent. It was 97.98 percent on March 19, said State Nodal Officer for Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, Doctor Nyanthung Kikon in the daily Covid-19 bulletin.

Altogether 140,601 samples were tested for coronavirus in the state till date, he said.

Christians form more than 90 percent of Nagaland’s 1.99 million people. However, 98 percent Naga people identify themselves as Christians. Among them, Baptists form 75 percent.

Catholics are found in significant numbers in parts of Wokha and Kohima districts as well as in the urban areas of Kohima and Dimapur. They come under the diocese of Kohima.

The state also has Revivalists and Pentecostals.

Sources: News agencies