Odisha May See 400 Deaths Per Day By Jan If Masks Are Not Worn Properly: US Study

Bhubaneswar: University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) has predicted that the COVID-19 death count in Odisha may be more than 11,000 by January 1, 2021.

The study has further predicted that the number of deaths may be as high as 400 per day in the new year. However, if masks are worn properly, COVID casualties may be down to 143 per day or 4170 by January.

IHME has forecast daily infections will rise to 1.68 lakh to 3.92 lakh (including undetected ones) from the current 5,000 a day. The state may need more than 8,000 additional ICU beds with 7,162 ventilators.

Among other states, Maharashtra is expected to see nearly one lakh deaths by January according to IHME, while India’s overall death figure may touch 6.48 lakh. Andhra Pradesh may see 32K and Delhi 14K deaths.

The Odisha government has reportedly dismissed these predictions and is said to be expecting 2.14 lakh COVID-19 cases by month-end (currently the figure is just over 1.75 lakh).

Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Pradipta Kumar Mohapatra remarked that the IHME predictions be taken “with a pinch of salt” and that the government’s own predictions have been fairly accurate so far.