1699 Samples Tested, 23 Report COVID-19 Positive, 2 Recovered So Far: I&PR Secy

Bhubaneswar: As many as 1699 samples have been tested and out of it 23 samples tested COVID 19 positive, said Secretary, Information and Public Relations Sanjay Singh in a press briefing.

While two have been discharged from the hospital, there are 21 active cases in Odisha so far, Singh further added.

Giving details about the COVID-19 cases reported today, Singh said the latest entry to the list of coronavirus positive in Odisha is a 70-year-old man from Kapila Prasad Housing Board Colony Phase II who had foreign travel history and returned from Australia on 22.3.2020 and was under home quarantine.

Another, one 29 years old male from Bomikhal found out during active surveillance, Singh said.

Speaking about the PM’s appeal to the people to voluntarily switch off lights in their residences during the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown for 9 minutes at 9 pm on Sunday, Singh appealed all to follow the advisory issued by the Energy Department in this connection.

The Energy Department in its advisory appealed the public not to switch off their main supply at feeder and running appliances.

“Do not switch off/on all lights at once. It may be done in a staggered manner,” the State Energy Department said in a public appeal.

Appealing the people to adhere to certain measures for “smooth and reliable operation and safety of the power system during this period”, the Energy department said:

“Residential housing society/ residential apartments are requested not to switch off/on their main supply at feeder/ main level for sudden decrease and increase of load during 9 pm and 9.09 pm respectively.”

It further said, “Running appliances (fan, refrigerator, AC etc) should not be switched off during this period.”