Odisha CM, Legislators Wash Hands To Create Awareness On Coronavirus

Bhubaneswar: To create awareness about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik along with State Assembly Speaker SN Patro and other legislators on Friday washed hands with soap on the Assembly premises for 20 seconds as recommended to keep the disease at bay.

Addressing the Assembly earlier in the day, Naveen had declared the outbreak as a state disaster and announced strict implementation of Odisha COVID-19 Regulations, 2020. Educational institutions, gyms, swimming pools and cinema halls in the state have been closed till March 31 as a precautionary measure.

At a meeting held at the conference hall of the Assembly, the Speaker emphasized on creating massive awareness about the deadly virus, while Health Minister Naba Das apprised all present about the preparedness of the state government for any health-related exigency.

Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy stressed cleanliness and social distancing to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Addressing a press meet later in the day, Health Secretary Nikunja Dhal said that Odisha has so far not reported a single positive case of COVID-19. However, 138 persons have been put under active surveillance by State IDSP.

Dhal informed that 15 persons were admitted to hospital (SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack,- 9, VIMSAR, Burla,-2 and  Capital Hospital, Bhubaneswar,-4) and all of them have tested negative for coronavirus.