Ganjam Admin Rolls Up Sleeves As Migrants Return & COVID Cases Spike

Berhampur: A total of 6,064 migrants have returned to the district since last fortnight. The staggering figure has added to the challenges that the Ganjam district administration is facing in checking the spread of COVID-19.

As always, the district Collector Vijay Amrit Kulange said initiated immediate steps to bring the cases under control.

Addressing media persons here on Wednesday Kulange said “The situation is alarming and we have to be prepared. But, precaution is better than cure. We have to be alert, proceed in a team work and behavioural changes are the only way out to face the challenge,” Collector said.

Informing about the migrants he said though the percentage of influx of migrants is comparatively less than last year, the number of returnees registered during 15 days is 6,064 which includes 5,440 from 22 blocks and 318 in NAC urban areas.

“We would provide 2,867 beds in Cluster Temporary Medical Camps including 2327 beds across 22 blocks and 540 beds across 18 urban local bodies. These are for the institutional quarantine of the migrants for seven days,” he added.

“We have kept the District Covid Health Centers ready with MBBS doctors and oxygen support for moderate cases at 100-bed City Hospital which is functional.”

Such health centers at Aska Leprosy Hospital (150 beds), Hinjili CCC (50 beds) and Bhanjanagar CCC (50 beds) are to be functional soon with 300 bed facilities. Apart from this, COVID Care Centers with Ayush doctors and oxygen support for moderate and suspected cases are also being made ready to tackle surge in COVID cases, he added.

Covid care centres will also be opened at Biju Adarsha Vidyalaya (500 beds), PMEC-A&B (1000 beds) with a total of 1,500 beds, the Collector added.

The DCH at MKCG is functional with 150 beds and 20 ventilators. The Aswini-Amit Hospital with 150 beds and 25 ventilators, Tata-Hitech Hospital with 150 beds with 45 ventilators are to be functional soon. This could cover 450 beds with 90 ventilators, he informed.

The administration is also set to introduce a central-bed management system to immediately confirm about bed availability. Call centers at block and zonal-level in three sub divisions will be opened to to facilitate all.

Informing about the tests, he said the testing average in the district is more than 2,000 per day. It includes 1,500 antigen and 700 RT-PCR tests, Kulange said and added that the capacity can be increased if the situation warrants.

The administration has also made wearing of mask for public compulsory and police enforcement too is going on strictly, he added.

Covid vaccination

19,507 out of 22,463 health care workers administered second dose

9,441 out of 10,797 frontline workers have taken second jab

People above 45 years

3,72,576 out of 9,75,607 administered vaccine

Also Read: Religious Institutions, Thakurani Yatra Closed For Public In Odisha’s Ganjam