Bhubaneswar: The State Health & Family Welfare Department has directed the Collectors of cyclone-affected districts to closely monitor persons returning from Cyclone Shelters and those engaged in Cyclone management & restoration in the field for COVID-19 symptoms.
Additional Chief Secretary (Health) PK. Mohapatra, has written to the Collectors of Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Puri, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Angul, and Khurda in this regard.
“In view of Cyclone Yaas, many families in these districts were shifted to Cyclone Shelters, where due to necessity they stayed in close quarters. Further, many persons engaged in cyclone restoration works in the field have also, due to necessity, worked in close proximity to others.
As the families in the Cyclone Shelters are now returning to their homes and the restoration works will also be completed over time, it is important that the concerned persons should be closely monitored for Covid symptoms over the coming weeks,” the Health ACS said.
To ensure this, the house-to-house survey teams will be sensitised to be particularly vigilant in surveillance of the Cyclone Shelter returned families and field restoration team persons.
Such persons will also be sensitised to monitor their own health, In case of any symptoms, they will be immediately isolated and tested for COVID-19, the health ACS further stated.
