Is COVID Symptoms Changing? Odisha Health Official Advices RT-PCR Test For Mild Cold, Fever

Bhubaneswar: The COVID-19 virus has undergone mutation and people with mild cold and fever are also testing positive for the infection, Director, Health Services,  Bijay Kumar Mohapatra told the media on Thursday.

“It is important to go for an RT-PCR test when suffering from such symptoms. It’s for the safety of others as well. People not following protocols will invite trouble. Unless there’s an emergency, it is advised not to step out of their houses,” he said.

Referring to the positive cases at Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR), Burla, and a government school in Sundargarh, Mohapatra said that these areas have been declared as containment zones and there was no need to panic as the infection is confined to some specific belts.

Notably, 53 students of a government-aided girls’ high school in Sundargarh and 47 students of VIMSAR tested positive for the virus earlier this week.

The severity of the disease is also less among those infected, he said.

“Government officials are keeping an eye on the COVID-19 situation. Wherever there’s an outbreak, special measures are taken. The district administrations have been directed to take necessary steps to contain virus spread,” he added.