Odisha Govt Announces Compassionate Help To Families of Martyred COVID Warriors

Bhubaneswar: Praising the sincerity and dedication of ‘COVID Warriors’ in 8-month fight against COVID-19 pandemic, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday announced compassionate assistance to the families of martyred COVID warriors.

Speaking at a review meeting on COVID-19 management in the state through video-conference, the chief minister said after the Centre announced Rs 50 lakh assistance to the family of a COVID warrior, the Odisha government sent a list of 60 persons killed on pandemic duty. But the Central government agreed to provide assistance to one martyr, he added.

Stating that the state government would draw the attention of the Centre on the issue, Naveen announced that the state government would provide compassionate assistance to the families of the COVID Warriors.

He also emphasised on improving the condition of people recovering from the disease. As 78% of COVID patients in the state are currently under home isolation, he directed senior officials to contact the patients in the house isolation as well the patients in COVID Hospital directly and enquire their well-being.

Expressing satisfaction over two lakh cured patients in the state, he said while the national recovery rate is 85%, it is 89% in Odisha. In the last eight months, 36 lakh tests have been conducted in the state, of which 6.75% have tested positive, he added.

Among others, chief secretary Asit Tripathy, DGP Abhay, additional chief secretary PK Mohapatra, PS to chief minister VK Pandian and other officials were present in the meeting.