COVID Situation In Puri In Plateau Stage: Central Team

Puri: A two-member Central team on Wednesday visited Puri to review the COVID-19 situation in the district.

The team had a meeting with Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) Dr Sujata Mishra and senior district health officials.

Talking to mediapersons later, team member Dr Prasant Mohapatra of AIIMS-Bhubaneswar said that the district’s COVID data was reviewed. Discussions were also held on testing and treatment.

He observed that going by daily and weekly caseloads, it can be said that COVID-19 in Puri is in a plateau stage. “The number of caseloads and test positivity rate (TPR) is fluctuating in the district. But that is not a big issue. Like the western Odisha districts, the COVID situation in Puri district will gradually improve,” Mohapatra added.

Expressing satisfaction over COVID management in the district, he did not find anything wrong with the management. “COVID-19 is unpredictable. We cannot say right now that the situation will be normal overnight. However, the district administration has taken all possible measures to contain the spread of the virus,” he pointed out.

The CDMO informed that the Central team will visit a COVID hospital to find out about treatment process and SOP being for treatment and care of patients. The team is also scheduled to visit a COVID testing centre.

Explaining the fluctuation in the number of caseloads in Puri, she said Puri cannot be compared with other districts. Puri has a floating population as people from outside regularly come here for leisure or to meet relatives. As a result, some people carry the virus and spread it among near and dear ones.

The CDMO also said that complacency among the people after the first wave is another cause for rise in caseload.

“After the improvement in the situation in November last year, the business establishments, hotels, tourist sites and temples were opened. There was a massive rush of people who did not follow the COVID norms. This result was reflected in the second wave as the daily caseloads and fatalities went up alarmingly,” Mishra pointed out.

Stating that there is a marked improvement in the the district, she said test positivity rate (TPR) has come down to three per cent.

“However, we will have to see when the daily caseload in the district comes down to two digits,” she said.