Bhubaneswar: Even as no COVID-19 positive case has been reported in Odisha in last couple of days, the State Government today announced a special strategy to root out the Coronavirus from the capital city, which has become one of the hotspots in the country.
As part of the strategy, the government will conduct a whopping 5000 test in next one week.
In a media briefing here today, Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy said, based on the epidemiological study of COVID-19 in the State Capital, the testing of swab samples will be maximized.
The Government has also devised a four-tier priority plan to collect the samples.
While collecting samples top priority will be given to SARI (Severe Acute Respiratory Illness) patients and healthcare workers deployed at COVID-19 hotspots. Police personnel, sanitation workers and COVID workers belong to the second tier. The third priority category has senior citizens with co-morbid conditions and lastly, some samples will be collected at random.
Tripathy further requested all to participate in this drive. He asked people to submit their samples if needed, since this is for their and their families safe future.
He also warned to take action who will revisit in collecting samples.
He mentioned that of the total 7577 swab samples collected, 1958 or 38% of total samples were from Bhubaneswar. And hence the figures make the Capital city a high-risk zone in the State which needs to be reversed as soon as possible.
Tripathy said that restrictions have been lifted in two COVID-19 containment zones in Bhubaneswar; with active surveillance on in rest of the three zones.
Out of total 60 COVID-19 positive cases, Bhubaneswar has reported 46 cases.