Bhubaneswar: With the spike in daily Covid-19 cases in the State especially in the Khurda and Cuttack districts, the health experts expressed their concern and caution the people on violating the norms.
The Covid-19 infection is sharply rising in some districts of the State. The State has reported 615 fresh cases today. The State had reported 447 cases on 1 October, which was increased to 453 on October 5 and crossed 600 on October 10.
Of the fresh 615 positive cases, 68 belong to the age group of 0-18 years. As many as 357 cases detected from quarantine centres and 258 are local contacts.
Out of the fresh cases detected in 22 districts, highest 323 Covid-19 cases were found in Khordha district followed by Cuttack (72) and Mayurbhanj (28). Khordha district has been put in the red zone in view of detection of a high number of cases, a health department official said.
However, the district has been marked under the yellow zone in the evening as it has reported recovery of 157 patients. The district has the highest 2371 active cases followed by Cuttack (515), while all other districts have below 200 active cases till Wednesday evening.
Expressing concern over the slight rise in Covid-19 positive cases, director of medical education and training (DMET) CBK Mohanty said Bhubaneswar and Cuttack city are witnessing a higher number of cases as people from other districts are visiting the cities in view of the festive season.
“The daily infection of Odisha is hovering in between 400 to 600. We are putting the districts in the red zone considering the active cases and test positivity rate (TPR). So far, Khordha district has been included under the red zone,” Dr.Mohanty said. He appealed to the people to follow Covid-appropriate behavior and exercise caution.
Meanwhile, the State has also reported seven fresh Covid-19 death cases taking the toll to 8268. Cuttack and Khordha districts reported two death cases each while Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur and Sundergarh reported one death case each. The death cases were confirmed as deaths due to Covid-19, after the due completion of the death audit process.
Director Health Services Bijay Mohapatra said that the state government is fully prepared to begin vaccination of 2 to 18 year olds as and when the Centre commences rollout of the Covaxin.