‘Absence Of Travel Restrictions Likely To Push COVID-19 Cases Further In Bhubaneswar’

Bhubaneswar: Prem Chandra Chaudhary, Commissioner of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), on Monday attributed the rising cases in the city to unrestricted domestic travel.

“Although the COVID-19 situation is under control, 5-10 passengers arriving in the city from different parts of Odisha and outside the state are testing positive for the virus every day. With no restrictions on travel, the number is most likely to go up in the coming days,” he said.

Also Read: Home Isolation No Longer An Option For COVID-19 Patients Arriving In Bhubaneswar

At least 11 passengers from Mumbai and Pune were found infected on arrival at Biju Patnaik International Airport, while three tested positive at the railway station on Sunday.

Also Read: Over 10 Passengers Test Positive For COVID-19 At Bhubaneswar Airport

Referring to the steps taken to contain the spread of the virus, Chaudhary said that the enforcement teams in three zones have formed special squads and intensified checking in busy market places and thoroughfares.

Stating that 150 beds are now available for the COVID patients in the city, the BMC Commissioner said that the number will be increased in view of the spurt in cases.

Earlier in the day, a coaching centre at Jayadev Vihar was sealed for violating COVID-19 norms.

Also Read: Coaching Centre In Bhubaneswar Sealed For Violating COVID-19 Norms

Health officials had earlier attributed the rise in cases in Bhubaneswar to clusters detected in educational institutions.