Despite a notable 7.5% decline in the Covid-19 positivity rate over the past two days, Manipur is witnessing a steady rise in active Covid-19 cases, with the total reaching 217 as of Friday night, according to the state’s Health and Family Welfare Department. The paradoxical trend has prompted health officials to urge heightened public vigilance and reinforce containment measures across the state.
📈 Active Cases Climb Amid Positivity Rate Dip
According to official data, the Covid-19 positivity rate in Manipur dropped from 32.5% on Thursday to 25.0% on Friday, a 7.5 percentage point decline. However, the number of active cases rose to 217, indicating that transmission remains active despite improved testing outcomes.
Of the 217 active cases:
- Imphal West reported the highest number with 146 cases
- Imphal East followed with 52 cases
- Thoubal recorded 9 cases
- Bishnupur had 6 cases
- Tengnoupal and Chandel reported 2 and 1 case, respectively
- Jiribam, bordering southern Assam, also reported 1 case
The concentration of cases in Imphal Valley districts—Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, and Bishnupur—suggests that urban and semi-urban clusters are driving the current wave.
🏠 Home Isolation and Community Spread
Out of the 217 active cases, 124 individuals are currently in home isolation, indicating that most cases are either asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic. However, health officials warn that home isolation without strict adherence to protocols could accelerate community transmission, especially in densely populated areas.
🧬 The Current Wave: Timeline and Origin
The first case in the current wave was reported on June 9, when a 23-year-old woman from Bishnupur district tested positive. Since then, the virus has spread across multiple districts, with daily case counts rising steadily. The state’s Health Services Director, Dr. Chambo Gonmei, confirmed that the woman had no recent travel history, suggesting local transmission as the likely source.
🏥 Government Response and Review Meeting
In response to the uptick in cases, Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla chaired a high-level Covid-19 review meeting at the Raj Bhavan. The meeting emphasized:
- Proactive containment strategies
- Strengthening medical infrastructure
- Community awareness campaigns
- Ensuring adequate oxygen supply and ICU beds
Governor Bhalla stressed the importance of preparedness over panic, urging district administrations to remain alert and responsive.
🧠 Expert Insights: Why Cases Are Rising Despite Lower Positivity
Public health experts suggest several reasons for the apparent contradiction:
- Testing Volume Decline: A drop in the number of tests conducted can lower the positivity rate while missing asymptomatic carriers.
- Delayed Reporting: Lag in test result updates may temporarily skew positivity data.
- Cluster Outbreaks: Localized outbreaks in high-density areas can inflate active case numbers even as overall positivity declines.
- Relaxed Protocols: Reduced mask usage and social distancing, especially in markets and public transport, may be fueling the spread.
🛑 Public Advisory and Preventive Measures
Dr. Gonmei has urged citizens to:
- Avoid large gatherings
- Wear masks in public spaces
- Maintain hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette
- Get tested if symptomatic or exposed
He also emphasized the importance of vaccination and booster doses, especially for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with comorbidities.
🧪 Testing and Surveillance
The state health department has ramped up RT-PCR and rapid antigen testing in high-risk zones. Mobile testing units have been deployed in Imphal West and East, while contact tracing teams are actively identifying potential exposure chains.
Officials are also monitoring hospital bed occupancy, which remains manageable for now, but contingency plans are in place should the situation escalate.
🧍♂️ Community Response and Challenges
While many residents have resumed Covid-appropriate behavior, compliance remains inconsistent. In marketplaces and public transport hubs, mask usage is sporadic, and physical distancing is often ignored.
Local NGOs and youth groups have stepped in to distribute masks and sanitizers, especially in rural areas where awareness remains low.
📚 Schools and Public Institutions
As of now, schools and colleges remain open, but authorities are closely monitoring the situation. If cases continue to rise, hybrid learning models and staggered attendance may be reintroduced.
Government offices have been advised to limit in-person meetings, encourage work-from-home options, and ensure ventilation and sanitization in shared spaces.
🌐 National Context: Manipur in the Broader Covid Landscape
Manipur’s surge comes amid a nationwide uptick in Covid-19 cases, driven in part by the JN.1 sub-variant, which has been detected in several states. While Manipur has not officially confirmed JN.1 cases in this wave, the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) has urged all states to maintain genomic surveillance.
🔮 What Lies Ahead?
Health officials warn that the next two weeks will be crucial in determining the trajectory of the current wave. If containment measures are strictly enforced and public cooperation improves, the state may avoid a full-blown crisis.
However, if complacency sets in, hospitalizations could rise, straining the healthcare system and forcing stricter lockdown-like measures.
✅ Key Takeaways
- Active Covid-19 cases in Manipur have risen to 217, despite a 7.5% drop in positivity rate
- Imphal West and East districts are the worst affected
- 124 patients are in home isolation, with no reported fatalities in this wave so far
- Governor Bhalla has called for proactive containment and infrastructure readiness
- Public cooperation and vaccination remain critical to curbing the spread
📌 Conclusion
Manipur’s current Covid-19 surge is a reminder that pandemic fatigue must not lead to complacency. While the drop in positivity rate is encouraging, the rise in active cases signals that transmission chains remain active. With coordinated government action and public vigilance, the state can flatten the curve once again.
Stay tuned for updates on containment measures and vaccination drives across Manipur.
