Brahmapur: Following a bunch of coronavirus cases in the past week in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, Odisha was on high alert.
On Wednesday, the first COVID-positive case in Odisha was reported from Brahmapur in Ganjam district.
The 54-year-old female patient is undergoing treatment at MKCG Medical College & Hospital.
Two other patients are in self-isolation, suspected to have contracted the virus, according to sources.
Santosh Mishra, Special secretary, Health & Family Welfare (HFW) department, confirmed that a COVID patient is undergoing treatment.
There is no other COVID case reported from any other part of the state, he informed.
Assuring people of the state, the Odisha government assured people there is no reason for panic.
Current data indicates only a low, seasonal uptick in cases as per information shared by the Indian government.
An independent assessment carried out by the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) found no alarming trend on the coronavirus infection.
Routine surveillance and standard clinical vigilance will continue across Odisha.
Hospitals in Ganjam, one of the states on the Andhra border, have already been directed to ensure mandatory COVID-19 testing for patients with severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) and conduct random testing of at least 5 per cent of patients with influenza-like illness (ILI).
Seven new cases on Tuesday took the number of COVID cases in Andhra Pradesh to 26, forcing the country to be on its toes.