Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has been asked to ramp up COVID-19 testing, tracking and isolation in the city.
“The daily testing target will be enhanced to 3000 in the BMC area,” said Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra while reviewing the COVID-19 situation in the Odisha capital on Friday.
A total of 33 rapid response teams will be placed in Bhubaneswar for monitoring home isolation cases. “They will be allotted specific areas and also ensure strict implementation of the COVID appropriate behaviour among people,” he said.
He warned positive patients in home isolation against moving outside. “People are requested to contact toll-free number 1929 for getting information about COVID testing,” he said.
The Chief Secretary also directed the civic body to touch all the patients at least once every day and provide service within 20 to 30 minutes of getting a call through the 1929 number.
He emphasised on intensify the preventive and enforcement activities. “Decentralise the market places. The management of the temples should be advised to regulate the entry of people for containing the COVID spread,” he said.
Mahapatra further directed the BMC to put task forces to disperse the people on the roadside, near the tea and other shops. “The shops where more people are gathering should be locked. Take the help of police is necessary,” he added.
The BMC has been asked to announce the restrictions and night curfew through the public address system in the entire town.
