Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday expressed satisfaction over the marked improvement in COVID situation in some districts but warned the officials against complacency and said the guidelines must be strictly adhered to as festivals are round the corner.
Reviewing the COVID situation in the state through video conferencing, Naveen indicated that Odisha might start phase-wise unlock process in the districts where the positivity rate has shown marked improvement. The decision will be taken basing on the suggestions from Technical Task Force Committee. It may be mentioned here that the state is under extended lockdown from May 17 to break the COVID chain.
The daily test positivity rate (TPR) in the state dropped to 8.5 per cent from 9.10 per cent the previous day. The TPR was 9.72 on Sunday.
The state has also seen a consistent drop in the number of red zones with only 10 hotspot districts.
Talking about preparations for the possible third wave as indicated by the task force, Naveen directed the officials to ensure setting up of infrastructure for COVID treatment of paediatric age group.
Naveen said experts predict that paediatric population will be mostly affected by the possible third wave and hence additional health care force must be kept ready to fight the disease.
The government will train 1,114 doctors and 1,036 healthcare personnel at different community health centres and hospitals in the state to stay prepared for the third wave.
He also advised the officials to prepare the increase the daily vaccination to 3 lakh from the present 1.5 lakh jabs.
Participating in the review meeting, Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra shared the good news that there there has been no rise in COVID cases in cyclone-affected districts. He hoped that the positivity rate will come down to 5 per cent soon.
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Additional Chief Secretary PK Mohapatra said 86 per cent COVID affected patients are being treated through home isolation and added that 68 beds in hospitals have fallen vacant. He said the supply of oxygen and medicines is adequate.
A total of 3000 general beds, 2390 isolation beds and 610 ICU beds have been kept ready for the possible third wave, he added.
Collectors of Rayagada, Jajpur, Puri, Jagatsinghpur and municipal commissioners of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack also participated in the meeting.
Vaccination:
As many as 83,62,105 doses have been administered in the state so far and Bhubaneswar is ahead in the inoculation drive.
By July 15, the second doses of COVID for 45+ age group will be completed and first dose of 18-45 will be over, the officers informed.
The review meeting was conducted by CM’s 5T Secretary VK Pandian and attended by Police DG, DG Fire Services and Collector and SPs.
