RT-PCR Test Mandatory For Odisha Returnees From COVID Hotspot States: Minister

Bhubaneswar: Apprehending a further surge in COVID-19 cases, the Odisha government on Thursday said that the people coming from hotspot states have to undergo the RT-PCR test.

Talking to the media, Health and Family Welfare Minister Naba Kishore Das said that any person coming to Odisha from the COVID hotspot states, including West Bengal, has to produce an RT-PCR negative report or else remain in home isolation for seven days.

Notably, all the neighbouring states saw a surge in COVID-19 cases on Thursday with Chhattisgarh reporting a spike of 10,310 followed by Andhra Pradesh (2331), West Bengal (2390) and Jharkhand (1312).

Referring to the shortage of vaccines in the state, the minister said he had written to the Union Health Ministry on Wednesday for the supply of 25 lakh doses of vaccines.

“Odisha requires 2.5 lakh doses of vaccines every day. But if the vaccines do not reach the state this evening, all session sites in the state will be closed from Saturday,” Das pointed out.

Stating that no decision has yet been taken on clamping lockdown and shutdown in the state, he requested the people to take adequate precaution against the virus and strictly adhere to COVID-19 guidelines.

On the treatment of the COVID-19 patients, the minister said that the collectors have been asked to ready the government and private hospitals in their districts.