BMC Discloses Identity Of Odisha's 5th COVID-19 Patient, Affected Area Sealed

Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Thursday made the name and address of the 5th COVID-19 positive case detected in AIIMS Bhubaneswar public. Addressing a presser Thursday, BMC Commissioner Prem Chandra Choudhury said that the decision has been taken in the larger interest of people to stop the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

The 60-year-old man who was tested positive yesterday is Pradipta Kumar Dalabehera of Plot No 37, Unit -7, Ward No 46 in Surya Nagar of Bhubaneswar. He is currently admitted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar with multiple co-morbid conditions.

The Commissioner revealed that the fifth positive case does not have any recent travel history to any other country or State outside Odisha.

A press release issued by the BMC said, "With the prescribed procedure of contact tracing, it seems impossible to establish and identify all contacts. To check the spread of the highly contagious COVID-19, it is essential in the public interest to know the possible contacts of the detected cases where there is no travel history and also trace all the people who could have been potentially infected by such positive cases."

The top official of the civic body further urged everyone who has been in contact with him since March 1, 2020, to remain in home quarantine forthwith. "The details of the 5th COVID-19 patient have been disclosed with an intention to safeguard the public who have come in contact with him since March 1, 2020. Those who have been in contact with him shall remain in home quarantine forthwith for 14 days from the date of contact and register in Odisha government's Helpline Number 104 in case they develop any symptoms," said Choudhury.

Moreover, the Commissioner warned that people indulging in social discrimination directly or indirectly against Dalabehera or his family members would invite the strictest action. Any violation of the same shall be punishable under IPC section 188 and the relevant provision of Epidemic Disease Act 1897.

Meanwhile, the Health & Family Welfare department has revealed the detailed case history of the 5th COVID-19 positive from Odisha.

BMC Says Entire Area Will Be SEALED

The affected ward is hereby notified as a restricted zone to check the further spread of the highly contagious COVID-19. All entry and exit points would be barricaded until further orders.

Sharing details, Choudhury informed that Gopandhu Square to LIC Square- Ganganagar Chhak- Siripur Chhak- Gopabandhu would be sealed.

Unable to establish travel/contact history of the 5th #COVID patient, admin has declared Bhubaneswar's Surya Nagar as containment zone #OdishaFightsCorona pic.twitter.com/cGTzj5v9jw

— OTV (@otvnews) April 2, 2020

"We will ensure all issues related to sanitation, health or timely supply of essential commodities and services are looked after. A medical team has also been formed to make a house-to-house inspection in the area," the Commissioner said.

Surya Nagar Containment:
Administration had no option but to initiate containment as no travel history or contact history of the COVID patient could be established. Teams shall visit households in the containment area to ascertain whether any person has any flu like symptoms.

— H & FW Dept Odisha (@HFWOdisha) April 2, 2020

Here's the press release of BMC: