Odisha Govt Readies To Implement First Outbreak Action Plan To Contain COVID-19 Surge

Bhubaneswar: Expressing grave concern over the alarming rise in COVID-19 cases in Odisha, the state government on Wednesday said that the night curfew will be strictly enforced to contain the spread of the virus.

Talking to the media, Health and Family Welfare Minister Naba Kishore Das said that the night curfew in 10 districts along the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border from 10 pm to 5 am is being strictly imposed while the state police in the border areas are constantly monitoring the entry of people from Chhattisgarh to these districts.

Stating that the district collectors and SPs concerned have been asked to take the necessary steps, he said that the Development Commissioner will tour Jharsuguda and Sundargarh districts on Wednesday to review the situation. Besides, the Chief Secretary will also tour the border districts.

Claiming that there is adequate stock of medicines, beds and oxygen cylinders for the COVID-19 patients, the minister urged the people to practice caution failing which the situation might become grave in the coming days.

Attributing the return of several people from the neighbouring states having a high incidence of cases to the COVID-19 resurgence in Odisha, Director Medical Education and Training (DMET) CBK Mohanty said this is evident as a number of people have been detected with the virus during the screening at the city airport and railway station.

Justifying the imposition of night curfew in the state, Mohanty said that this is the best way to contain the spread of the virus. “To avoid the large congregation of people at the clubs and parties, the night curfew is a must,” he maintained.

Asked about the steps being taken by the state government to bring the situation under control, the DMET said the government and the Health Department are ready to implement the action plan, which was formulated during the first-phase outbreak of the virus in the state.