Ch’garh COVID-19 Resurgence: Testing & Tracing To Be Intensified In Bordering Odisha Districts

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has decided to intensify testing, tracing and surveillance in view of the rise in COVID-19 cases in neighbouring Chhattisgarh.

After a meeting here on Friday, Director of Public Health Niranjan Mishra and Director of Health Service Bijay Mohapatra said in view of coronavirus resurgence, the district authorities have been directed to keep the hospitals in readiness with the required equipment.

Minister of State (Home) Dibya Shankar Mishra said the recent IPL cricket tournament is being suspected to be one of the reasons behind the rise in cases in the bordering districts. A Road Safety World Series T-20 was played from March 5 to 21 at Raipur.

To check the rise in cases, the Minister said people coming from across the border will have to undergo rapid antigen test and measures are also being taken on a war-footing to check the spread. However, people  will have to strictly follow the COVID-19 protocol of wearing proper masks and follow hand sanitisation.

The districts of Nuapada, Bargarh, Sundargarh and Kalahandi have turned into the epicenters of COVID-19 resurgence as a result of the inter-state movement of people, said sources.

In view of the prevailing situation, Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Pradipta Kumar Mohapatra has directed the concerned healthcare authorities to conduct aggressive testing and contact tracing of the infected persons.

Also Read: Spectre Of Ch’garh COVID-19 Resurgence Looms Over Nuapada & Kalahandi In Odisha