Covid-19 Surge: Will Containment Measures Return In Odisha?

Bhubaneswar: Amid fresh surge in Covid-19 cases in several parts of the country, the Odisha government indicated that containment measures may be reimposed if infection spreads and clusters are formed in a particular area.

Stating that the situation in the state is well under control, Public Health Director Niranjan Mishra reportedly said that only sporadic Covid-19 cases are being reported at present.

The situation is being constantly monitored and if Covid-19 cases surface in clusters from any particular area in the state, the authorities may impose containment measures in order to check spread of infection, he said.

Mishra’s statement came after the Unio Health Ministry held a meeting with states on Monday on the resurgene of Covid-19 and stels to be taken to contain its spread.

Maintaining that all the health facilities have been directed to remain in a state of preparedness, Mishra said medical colleges in the state have been asked to keep contingency plan ready to meet any spike in Covid cases.

In a letter to the directors of Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar and RGH in Rourkela, CDMOs and superintendents of government medical colleges and hospitals, he said all health facilities have to remain in readiness to manage any Covid cases requiring hospitalisation.

As per the directions, the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, MKCGMCH in Berhampur, VIMSAR in Burla, and SLNMCH in Koraput have to earmark at least 20 beds for COVID patients with at least two ICU beds.

Similarly, all District Headquarters Hospitals (DHH) and medical colleges have to earmark at least 10 beds as isolation Covid facility with standby beds to increase capacity if required. All prefab newly-constructed Covid emergency blocks are to be kept in readiness with all logistics, the letter read.

All CHCs having prefab structures have to earmark six beds in it for Covid cases and all above Covid facilities have to be managed with existing manpower.

Besides, oxygen concentrators, oxygen cylinders, LMO, PSA are to be kept in readiness and working order. A contingency plan is to be prepared for any eventual rise in cases to be handled in each facility, the letter said.

This apart, mock drills will be carried out on April 10 and 11 to take a stock of hospital preparedness including essential drugs, beds, including ICU beds, medical equipment, medical oxygen, capacity building of human resources on existing guidelines as well as vaccination coverage.