COVID-19 Outbreak In Odisha To Stabilise By August End: ILS Director

Bhubaneswar: The Institute of Life Sciences (ILS) on Tuesday predicted that the COVID-19 pandemic in Odisha will stabilise after reaching its peak by the end of August.

“Going by the rising number of positive cases, the COVID-19 pandemic will be stable in Odisha in the last week of August after reaching its peak. However, it cannot be said right now as to what would be the total number of positive cases in August as the virus has different strains,” ILS director Ajay Parida told the media.

Taking about the death of COVID-19 patients, Parida said compared to the number of deaths in other states, the rate of death in Odisha is much less.

“Compared to symptomatic patients, most of the asymptomatic patients having severe or chronic comorbidity are dying in Odisha. The death of the symptomatic patients with no comorbidity can be curbed if they are diagnosed in the early stage of the infection,” he pointed out.

Asked about the gradual fall in the number of COVID-19 positive cases in Ganjam district, the ILS director said the number has plummeted as those who have tested positive for the virus are kept in isolation from their families.

Referring to the COVID-19 situation in Bhubaneswar, he said as a large number of people from other areas of the state are coming to the capital city and the state government should formulate a new strategy to restrict their entry.