Follow Guidelines For Checking Rapid Spread Of COVID, Naveen Appeals To People

Bhubaneswar: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday appealed to people to follow precautionary measures of the government against COVID-19 in view of rapid spread of the virus across the country including Odisha.

Reviewing the COVID situation in the state at a high-level meeting, the chief minister said, “The number of patients admitted to hospitals in the third wave has been less than the previous rounds. But we have to be very careful and take all preventive steps to contain the spread of the disease.”

Stating that the vaccination drive has been satisfactory so far, he directed the officials to ensure vaccination of the people who have not taken the vaccine at all and second dose to those who have availed the first dose.

Naveen also advised to administer third dose of the vaccines to COVID warriors and senior citizens on priority basis and carry out awareness campaign as in previous waves.

The district officials were advised to involve Mission Shakti groups in the campaign and enforce COVID restrictions strictly.

Since most of the COVID patients in the third wave are in home isolation, the Rapid Response Team and field officials should closely monitor their condition, the chief minister advised.

Speaking on the steps taken for the third wave of the disease, Additional chief secretary, Health department RK Sharma said despite less hospitalisation of the patients this time compared to second wave, the number of beds has been increased and oxygen and ventilators have been kept ready in the stock.

On vaccination drive, he said 91.8% of state’s population has been administered first dose while 68.4% has taken second dose. Similarly, 30.7% of adolescents in the age group of 15 to 18 years have already been vaccinated, he added.

Chief secretary Suresh Mahapatra, DGP Sunil Bansal, SRC PK Jena and commissioners of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack municipalities also participated in the meeting while secretary (5T) to CM VK Pandian coordinated.