64 School Children Test Positive, Hostel Turns COVID Cluster In Odisha!

Rayagada: Amid the fear of the possible fourth wave, the COVID count in Odisha shot up with 64 school students in Rayagada district testing positive for the virus.

According to media reports, 257 inmates of Anwesha Hostel at Kotlaguda were made to undergo RT-PCR test by the rapid response team of Health Department on May 4. Among them, 44 were found infected.

“All of them are asymptomatic and have been kept in isolation. All precautionary measures are being taken by the authorities to prevent further spread of the virus,” hostel matron Namita Samal informed on Saturday. Students of eight English medium schools in the district reportedly stay in this hostel.

On being informed, the District Welfare Officer (DEO) visited the hostel to take stock of the situation.

In Bisamkatak block, another 20 students were found to have contracted the virus. They are studying at Hatamuniguda Government High School.

Notably, the state had reported 14 new cases in the last 24 hours, taking the active tally to 103. These cases were reported from Khurda (6), Cuttack (2), Balasore (1), Balangir (1), Deogarh (1), and Nuapada (1), besides 2 from the state pool. Ten districts are still free from COVID-19.