Odisha Stay Alert To COVID-19 For 6 Months, Spread Awareness: Subroto Bagchi

Bhubaneswar: Two day after the Odisha government declared the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak as a ‘state disaster’, its chief spokesperson on COVID-19 Subroto Bagchi on Sunday urged people to stay alert to the virus for at least six months.

Addressing a press conference here, he said that combating coronavirus was not the sole responsibility of the government, but it required collective effort of all. “We have begun preparations on war footing and I urge all to remain alert for at least 6 months to fightback the virus,” he said.

While laying out the six-month action plan to fight the global pandemic, he stressed social distancing without panicking to contain the spread of the deadly virus.

Bagchi advised people not to believe in fake news and desist from spreading rumours and misinformation regarding COVID-19.

“Staying calm and spreading awareness is the need of the hour,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had also advocated social distancing and asked people to refrain from spreading misinformation about COVID-19. “Being at home, reducing social interactions and avoiding gatherings will cut down vulnerability to a great extent,” he said.

Naveen advised people to avoid social gatherings and assemblies like religious functions, marriage receptions.

“Personal inconveniences will be faced and families may have to make sacrifices, but extraordinary circumstances call for an extraordinary response,” he added.

Odisha, however, is yet to report any confirmed coronavirus case. “All the 22 swab and blood samples collected from coronavirus suspects till Saturday have tested negative,” an official said.