COVID Vs Festivities: Battle Hangs Heavily In Favour Of Pandemic In Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: The COVID situation in the Capital City continues to remain volatile as well as serious even as other cities including Cuttack have almost contained the pandemic. With ensuing festivities, the possibility of the disease going out of control cannot be ruled out.

From the beginning of October till date, the number of daily COVID positive cases in Bhubaneswar has been hovering over 150. While the figure came down to the minimum of 111 on October 7, the highest touched 267 on October 7.

Compared to this, the daily COVID cases in other major urban areas look dwarfish. Even no district, except Khurda where Bhubaneswar is located, comes anywhere near these figures which remain in double digit.

For example on Tuesday, out of total 529 cases in entire Odisha, Khurda alone accounted for 274, according to the I & PR department. Bhubaneswar had reported 159 positives patients on Monday, which is more than 50% of the district.

Similarly, 16 districts, which is half of the total districts in the state, reported the positive cases in single digit.

On the casualty figure, the pandemic has claimed 1037 lives in the capital city till Tuesday, according to Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC). What is more alarming as well as baffling for the Health authorities is that in consonance with the positive cases, the fatalities due to the diseased have been reported on daily basis.

Considering the festival mood of the people, particularly during Dussera, which invariably leads to shopping, gathering and feasting, the state government had continued some restrictions like extending the night curfew in Bhubaneswar to curb contributing factors to the spread of COVID this month.

But the restrictions seem to be have made the desirable impact in containing the pandemic. It has led the Health authorities to ring the alarm bell and recommended to the government to further tighten the screws.

Stating that there is a rising trend in the daily cases in Bhubaneswar, Director, Health Services Bijay Mohapatra on Tuesday said Bhubaneswar accounts for about 40 per cent of the daily count.

“Although the city denizens have been requested to strictly adhere to COVID guidelines, large congregations are often found in markets and daily haats,” he said. Since people are not following the COVID norms, the Health Department has recommended the government to impose more restrictions, he added.

The Directorate of Medical Education and Training (DMET) has also raised its concern over the COVID situation in the capital city. “The pictures emerging from market areas are concerning and may seriously dent the fight against pandemic,” said DMET director CBK Mohanty.

He also appealed to the people to restrain from congregation in public places and community celebration. The festivals will again come next year. But precious lives should not be lost in the name of celebration,” he said.