Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik this evening reviewed the COVID-19 situation in the state and emphasized on the successful implementation of the program announced at the all-party meeting yesterday, giving accurate information to the relatives about the condition of the patients and maintaining social distance at the vaccination centers.
The Chief Minister said that the COVID-19 situation in the state is under control. The number of patients recovering in the state is higher than the number of newly diagnosed patients. COVID positive cases have started to decline in some districts since last week. The state has also seen a decline in positive cases.
The Odisha CM said the state government has extended the lockdown period by two more weeks to completely reduce the rate of infection. Expressing full confidence in the co-operation of the people, the Chief Minister said “If we all abide by the COVID rules by wearing masks, washing hands frequently with soap, maintaining social distance, and stop roaming around unnecessarily, we must win this fight against COVID-19.
Referring to the various steps announced at the all-party meeting yesterday, the Chief Minister said that many families have been devastated by the COVID-19. Further, the Chief Minister directed the administration to take immediate steps so that the widows of the deceased and the children who lost the parents could get immediate assistance.
The chief minister also directed the district Collectors to prepare a plan to ensure that the door-to-door survey to detect COVID symptoms, which starts on May 24, is completely flawless. The Chief Minister also directed to actively involve the Panchayats and Village Welfare Committees in the process.
The Chief Minister also directed that the relatives of the patients who were being treated at the hospital be given proper information about the condition of the patients. He directed to establish Help Desks at all COVID treatment centres to fulfill the purpose.
Emphasizing that vaccination is the most important way to control cough, the Chief Minister asked to ensure social distancing at vaccination centers.
Further emphasizing the importance of wearing a mask properly, the Chief Minister suggested that proper wearing of masks should be given priority.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra said that the duration of the lockdown has been extended for another two weeks and that it would be strictly enforced. The house-to-house survey will be launched from May 24 on the instructions of the Chief Minister. The department has been instructed to issue the necessary guidelines.
He said that the district Collectors are monitoring the Helf Desks along with the Oxygen Logistic system 24X7.
Additional Chief Secretary, P.K. Mohapatra said the country is now experiencing a decline in COVID infections.
In India, on May 8, the maximum (Peak) was 4,14,188. Today it is 2,63,021. Similarly, infections in Odisha are declining. “Odisha had the highest number of infections on May 13 and has been declining since then,” he said.
Our positivity rate has dropped from 21 percent last week to 18 percent. Despite the increase in the number of tests, the reduction in positivity is good news,” Mohapatra said. He said the number of tests would be increased to 60,000 in the coming weeks.
“Our death toll has dropped from 0.40 to 0.36. The death toll in the last 15 days is 0.16, the lowest in India, he said.
The number of ICU beds in the state has been increased and 368 more ICU beds will be set up soon, Mohapatra said and added that there will be no more plasma therapy in the state.
The Director General of Police, Abhay, briefed the participants on the steps taken by the state to comply with lockdowns and various COVID guidelines. He informed that 15912 metric tonnes of oxygen has been sent from Odisha to other states through six tankers so far.
Director General of Fire Services M. Akshay said firefighters have been deployed at 62 Covid hospitals to avoid any untoward incidents.
The meeting was attended by Nikunj Bihari Dhal, Observer of Jharsuguda and Sundergarh Districts, Satyabrata Sahu, Observer of Kalahandi-Nuapada, Bishnupad Sethi, Observer of Angul-Dhenkanal, District Collectors of Angul, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj, and Commissioners of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporations.
Secretary to Odisha Chief Minister & 5-T, V.K. Pandian coordinated the meeting.
