Odisha Govt Ups COVID Surveillance As Cases Rise In Some States

Bhubaneswar: With some states reporting a rise in COVID-19 cases, the Odisha government, which has said the situation is stable in the state with daily cases hovering around 10-20, has issued guidelines to Collectors, Municipal Commissioners, Chief District Medical Officers and Public Health Officers.

State Public Health Director Niranjan Mishra said while cases were rising in four-five states, the current situation in Odisha was not worrying. “Health department is taking necessary steps to prevent an outbreak. Daily tests will be increased. If infections rise, district administrations have been issued guidelines,” he added.

The Directorate of Public Health has issued the following guidelines:

* Evidence-based decision-making: At the district level, there should be constant review of emerging data, based on a sustained and critical level of testing to facilitate decisions for restriction/ relaxation, which should be evidence-based.

* There should be constant review regarding emergence of new cases/ clusters, case positivity, population affected, geographical spread of cases and hospital infrastructure preparedness.

* ILI/ SARI surveillance should be continued as before and an early warning system of detecting rise of cases should be monitored.

* A close vigil on people coming from high-burden countries/ states to be continued.

* Periodic surveillance of high-risk and vulnerable population like healthcare providers, educational institutions, residential hostels etc.

* There should be in-house strengthening of testing, surveillance and treatment mechanism to face any upsurge of cases and to integrate it to comprehensive healthcare system.

* Testing-Tracking-Treatment-Vaccination and COVID-appropriate behaviour are the main strategy for management and has to be strengthened. Testing strategy is to be followed as per latest ICMR guidelines.

* WGS of positive cases are to be carried out as per guidelines issued from time to time.

* All steps should be taken to ensure that Home Isolation Protocol is followed scrupulously and due treatment provision is in place.

* All non-COVID healthcare services are to be fully operationalised.

* Ensure vaccination coverage to all beneficiaries as per guidelines issued from time to time.

* Community engagement and COVID-appropriate behaviour: Adequate IEC, community sensitisation and information sharing system should be in place to prevent misinformation and panic.

* A contingency action plan for districts should be ready to deal with any upsurge of cases.

* Ensure participation of community in adhering to COVID-appropriate behaviour:

1. a) Face covering: Wearing of face cover is compulsory in public places, in workplaces and during transport.
2. b) Social distancing: Individuals must maintain an adequate distance in public places, workplaces and avoid overcrowding.
3. c) Spitting in public places: To be discouraged.
4. d) Screening & hygiene: Provision of hand wash or sanitiser to be made mandatory at workplaces.
5. e) Ventilation: Proper ventilation to be ensured, particularly in closed spaces.