2nd Wave Of COVID-19 Likely In Odisha In December, Says Naveen

Bhubaneswar: With the European and western countries getting affected by second wave of COVID-19 pandemic, Odisha may experience it in the second week of December. Under the circumstances, there is need for remaining alert from now, said chief minister Naveen Patnaik.

Reviewing the COVID-19 situation in the state with senior officials here on Wednesday, Naveen said in case of a second spell of the disease, all must strictly follow the COVID protocols such as using face masks, social distancing and hand hygiene practices. This is the most effective way to avoid a harsh proposition like lockdown, he added.

Expressing satisfaction over the reducing number of new patients and rising recoveries from the disease, the chief minister said there are festivals ahead. Keeping this in mind, the prevailing situation in Kerela and Delhi, which is facing a third wave, should not be repeated in Odisha.

The number of COVID-19 cases was under control during Dussehra because of the people, administration and police, he said and requested the people to follow the guidelines during Deewali also. He directed the collectors and SPs to ensure it.

He also told the Health department to train para-medical staff and doctors to treat people who have recovered from COVID-19 as there are reports of recovered patients complaining health complications.

The chief minister said the economic activities should not slow down due to the pandemic and the officials must focus on livelihood schemes like MGNREGA, Mission Shakti and Urban Wage Employment.

Additional chief secretary Pradipta Mohapatra said COVID-19 testing in Odisha is more than the national average. While 83,000 tests are conducted per 10 lakh population in the country, the Odisha average is 1.02 lakh tests.

Against the national recovery rate of 92%, it is 95.32% in Odisha. Similarly, the mortality rate in Odisha is 0.46% which is one of the lowest in the country, Mohapatra said.