Kendrapara: A day after the third positive case of Coronavirus has been reported in Odisha, the Kendrapara district administration has further stepped up measures to safeguard the people from the deadly virus.
The administration has been strictly enforcing the lockdown and social distancing guidelines to contain the spread of the COVID-19.
“Every life is precious to us. And we are leaving no stone unturned to give a strong fight against the Coronavirus”, said Kendrapara Collector Samarth Verma to the Newsroom.co.
In the wake of the rising cases of Corona infections across the country, the district administration has made elaborate arrangements in all aspects for the safety and security of the people.
Helping Migrant Labourers: Kendrapara is one of the most sensitive districts in the State due to the homecoming of thousands of migrant labourers, many of whom are reportedly from the Corona affected states.
Around 450 people have returned from various countries to the district, while another 7,000 persons have arrived from other states. All have been placed under home quarantine. They have been strictly instructed to remain in isolation in their homes and not to interact with others. The administration is in constant touch with them.
A central team of the district administration and local sarpanchas are closely monitoring them in order to ensure social distancing of the migrant labourers.
The administration has taken stringent action against a person who had come from abroad and did not follow the quarantine home stay order, informed an official.
Meanwhile, the administration has opened a migration help desk to assist the Odia workers present outside Odisha and are facing problems because of the nationwide lockdown.
COVID Facilities: The administration has made special arrangements for screening of the suspected people. It has set up isolation wards for the patients in hospitals across the district. As many as 1000 isolation facilities have been made at the district level to check the spread of the killer disease in this coastal district.
Social Distancing Measures: As social distancing is the most effective preventive measure to curb the pandemic, the district administration has taken several innovative steps to make people practice social distancing.
The admin has strictly prohibited social interactions like religious functions, marriages and gatherings of people. Like other parts of the State, this coastal district too sees closure of non-essential shops to follow the lockdown imposed by the government.
The administration has decentralized major markets for delivery of essential commodities. Small hats (markets) have been arranged at the ward and village level for the delivery of essential items. Rates are determined as per the prevailing market price.
The essential shops have been advised to follow the social distancing guidelines like drawing shapes outside their shops for customers to ensure social distancing.
Similarly, the administration has also started door to door distribution of pension and PDs ration to the beneficiaries.
The women self-help groups have also been roped in for home delivery of cooked meals at Rs 25 per packet. It has been started in Kendrapara Municipality and other areas will be covered soon.
Health and hygiene awareness: Special focus is being given to spread awareness on health and hygiene to contain the spread of the killer virus. The admin is sensitizing people about the necessity of covering mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing and washing hands with soap and water frequently. The WSHGs have been engaged to prepare masks for the people.
Around 27000 masks have been produced by 80 women from 23 SHG groups in Kendrapara so far. Already 17000 masks have been sold. More groups are being added. These masks are being sold to low risk target segment, informed an official.
Lockdown: The district administration has deployed police and security personnel to enforce strictly the lockdown. Stringent actions are being taken against the violators.
District Collector Samarth Verma, who is personally monitoring the COVID-19 situation in the district, has again appealed the people to follow the advisory and guidelines issued by the State and Central Governments to fight the Coronavirus.