Odisha CM Alerts Officials On COVID-19 Measures During Festivals

Bhubaneswar: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday directed the officials to remain alert in view of the possibility of spread of COVID-19 during the festive season ahead.

Reviewing the COVID-19 management through video-conference, Naveen said the number of infected persons has been steadily coming down due to persistent efforts of doctors, health workers, police personnel and COVID workers. While total 40 lakh testing has been completed, the number of patients has crossed 2.5 lakh, he added.

Cautioning that there is no room for complacency, the chief minister told the officials to strictly enforce the COVID-19 guidelines during the celebration of festivals in coming days. Stressing on the medical care of comorbidity patients, he called for intensifying public awareness campaign.

Naveen also told the officials to ensure that the economic activities should not be affected and the industries continue their production without interruption.

Development Commissioner Suresh Mohapatra said all possible preventive steps are being taken to arrest the spread of COVID-19 during Dussera and Deewali. While the number of active cases in Khurda, Cuttack, Sundargarh, Mayurbhanj and Angul districts is above 1000, it has come down in other districts, he added.

Additional chief secretary, Health department Pradipta Mohapatra said the infection rate of the disease has come down to 0.71% while recovery rate has gone up to 93%. On the direction of the chief minister, the RT-PCR test reports are provided to the patients within 24 hours, he added.

On the preparedness of police, DGP Abhay said a strategy has been drawn up for festive seasons in consultation with SPs of the districts. The puja committees of different towns and cities have been apprised of the guidelines and additional forces mobilised besides keeping vigil on sensitive places, he added.

It was revealed at the meeting that sero survey will begin in Cuttack and Puri after Dussera. 5T secretary VL Pandian coordinated the meeting.