Upward Spiral In COVID Cases Continues In Odisha; Positivity Rate 2.8%

Bhubaneswar: The upward curve in daily COVID caseload continued on Tuesday as Odisha added 141 fresh infections in the last 24 hours, taking the active tally to 731, according to the Union health ministry data.

While symptoms in most cases have been mild so far, the state health department has advised people with comorbidity to immediately undergo testing and treatment in the event of any symptoms. Only 12 patients are undergoing treatment in hospitals. The state has so far seen one COVID death this year, reports said.

““The positivity rate in the country is 6.9 per cent whereas it is 2.8 per cent in Odisha. Infections are being reported from 16 districts in the state,” Public health director Niranjan Mishra said.

Notably, India logged a 79% increase in COVID cases in the week ending April 9 with a tally of over 36,000, the highest weekly count in nearly seven months. Meanwhile, active cases jumped to over 37,000 with 5,676 new positive cases in the last 24 hours, on the second day of mock drills to assess hospital preparedness. Face masks have been made compulsory across India including in Haryana, Kerala and civic hospitals in Mumbai.

Attributing the surge to a relaxation of COVID-appropriate behaviour, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has recommended people to wear masks in crowded places and avoid hugging, kissing and shaking hands.