Odisha’s COVID Infection Rate Higher Than National Average: Centre

New Delhi: Even as the country is seeing a decline in COVID-19 cases during the second wave, Odisha and four other states continue to report higher growth rates than the national average.

The other four states where active cases continue to be concentrated mainly are Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.

National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Director Dr Sujeet K Singh informed this at a virtual meeting of group of ministers (GoM) on Monday. The meeting was chaired by Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan.

Odisha’s higher infection rate than the national average is a cause of concern as it comes amid reports of pressure on the state government to lift the almost two-month lockdown.

Notably, Odisha reported 3,319 fresh COVID-19 cases on Monday. Also, Odisha tested 66,109 samples in the last 24 hours and reported a test positivity ratio (TPR) of 5.02 per cent for the day.

Speaking at the GoM meeting, Secretary (Health Research) Dr Balram Bhargava cautioned against laxity as the COVID second wave has still not subsided with 80 districts in the country still seeing high positivity.