Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has announced that COVID-19 vaccination of people belonging to the age group of 18 to 44 years would commence from May 17.<br />'' <br />''In a video message to the people of the State, the Chief Minister informed that the State had received 39,000 doses so far for the vaccination of this age group. He urged all those belonging to the age group to register themselves on <a href="http://www.cowin.gov.in/" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.cowin.gov.in/&source=gmail&ust=1621092854093000&usg=AFQjCNGp5WmUNI31gqu1HcozUVA9OyNzeg">www.cowin.gov.in</a> or Arogya Setu App or UMANG App to receive vaccination schedules on their phone.<br />'' <br />''The Chief Minister also urged all those, who have oxygen cylinders at home to donate it to the Government considering ever increasing demand of medical oxygen in the hospitals for COVID-19 treatment. He said that all these cylinders would be returned to the owners after the pandemic is over.<br />'' <br />''The Chief Minister further announced that doctors, nurses and all other personnel, who are directly involved in COVID-19 treatment/duty would be given incentives. He said, doctors will be given incentives of Rs 500 per day, nurses Rs 400 per day and other personnel Rs 150 per day. Drivers and handymen, who are transporting oxygen cylinders from other States, would also be given Rs 1000 and Rs 500 per trip. Regarding manpower, the Chief Minister said that 230 doctors and 178 new nurses had been engaged on contract basis to meet the manpower requirement.<br />'' <br />''The Chief Minister said that more oxygen is also being brought in from Nagaon, Silchar and Dimapur round the clock. <br />'' <br />''He said, the State Technical Expert Committee had approved use of Ivermectin tablets by COVID-19 positive patients and now, Ivermectin tablets along with Vitamin C, Zinc, D3 tablets and pulse oximeters would be distributed free of cost to Home Isolation patients.<br />'' <br />''<span style="color: #222222;">He said, SOPs adherence, timely prevention and early treatment are the only means to effectively tackle the virus.</span><br />