Over 70% Of COVID-19 Patients In Odisha In Home Isolation Now

By OB Bureau On Sep 18, 2020

Bhubaneswar: Odisha is in a better position compared to other states in the country in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic as over 70 per cent of the positive cases are now in home isolation.

Stating this in a press briefing on Friday evening, Shalini Pandit, Director, National Health Mission (NHM), said though the state is witnessing a peak in COVID-19 cases now, the positivity rate is low while the recovery rate is high.

She further said more than 50,000 tests are now conducted in the state per day and the mortality rate due to the disease is lowest in the country.

When the coronavirus was first detected on March 15, Odisha did not have much information about the virus and all patients were admitted to hospitals. “Following an extensive research by experts, we have now found that all patients do not need hospitalisation, rather the recovery rate is higher in home isolation,” she said.

The NHM director said the COVID-19 patients, who are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms, are allowed to go for home isolation. Nearly 70% of positive cases are now under home isolation including senior officers, MLAs and ministers, she added.