Bramhapur: Authorities at MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Bramhpur have refuted rumours regarding detection of a fresh COVID-19 case at the facility, reassuring the public that no infections have been confirmed in Odisha’s Ganjam district.
The clarification follows growing public anxiety after unverified reports claimed that a patient admitted to the hospital’s medicine department had tested positive for the virus.
Speaking to the media, Medical Superintendent Sudeepa Das clarified that there are no confirmed COVID-19 positive cases at the hospital. “Since a patient had symptoms of respiratory ailment, doctors might have advised a COVID test based on their diagnosis. From the information I have received, the patient is stable. There are no confirmed reports showing a positive result,” she said.
Das further stated that recent weather changes and continuous heavy rainfall over the last few days have led to a surge in viral fever cases “There is no reason to panic. The recent weather transition and continuous rainfall over the past few days have led to a seasonal surge in common viral fever, cold, and respiratory issues. Viral fevers are a regular seasonal occurrence, and ordinary symptoms of cold or fever should not be mistaken for COVID-19,” she added.
While dismissing reports of local cases, Ganjam Collector and Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) confirmed that precautionary directives have been issued across the district.
Following reports of rising cases and two reported deaths in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, Odisha’s border districts were placed on high alert as a standard preventive measure. The Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) had previously issued advisory guidelines to all healthcare facilities—including government hospitals, Berhampur City Hospital, sub-divisional hospitals, CHCs, and PHCs—to enhance vigilance. Instructions include maintaining isolation wards, oxygen-supported beds, emergency equipment, and sufficient stocks of medicines and oxygen supplies. Furthermore, testing has been mandated for patients presenting with severe acute respiratory infection, and field-level health workers have been tasked with reporting any unusual clusters of fever or respiratory illness immediately. Following these guidelines, facilities such as Berhampur City Hospital have established dedicated 10-bed isolation wards with oxygen support to handle any prospective cases.
