Follow COVID Protocol Or Be Ready To Face Lockdown & Shutdown, Warns Odisha Govt

Bhubaneswar: In the wake of alarming rise in COVID-19 cases in Odisha, the state government on Thursday made it clear that it will be left with no choice but to impose more restrictions if people do not follow COVID protocol.

Talking to mediapersons, Director, Health & Family Welfare Bijay Panigrahi, however, said there is no immediate need to clamp shutdown or lockdown in the state at present.

The state government may clamp lockdown and shutdown if gross violation of the COVID norms is found in some localities, he added.

“Priority is now given to areas where there is a large congregation. To ensure proper implementation of COVID norms in these areas, we will adopt new strategies,” he added.

Asked about the alarming rise in COVID cases in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, he said it is because there are a large number of people from outside the state residing in the twin city.

Stating that more COVID patients are being identified in the state due to contact tracing, Panigrahi said active surveillance is an ideal and most effective way to identify COVID patients and test of those having symptoms.

He advised people not to get panicked by looking at the number of daily COVID caseload and urged them not to trust social media posts.

Referring to the healthcare facilities for the COVID patients, Panigrahi said 43% general beds, 63% ICU beds and 35% ICU beds with ventilators in COVID hospitals are occupied.

He also informed that are there are more COVID patients in Western Odisha, the additional district magistrates (ADM), district nodal health officers and the state nodal officers are monitoring their health.

Also Read: COVID Crisis: Bhubaneswar Sees Big Jump In Home-Isolation To Hospital Patients