Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday appealed to the doctors to support the State government's initiative of launching a dedicated COVID-19 telemedicine helpline.
"I am appealing to all the doctors, across the state and India, to support the government in this initiative. Please come forward and register to provide free service to citizens," Patnaik said. He said doctors are at the frontline of the fight against coronavirus.
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After readying seven special COVID-19 hospitals in different places across Odisha, the State government has now decided to launch a dedicated COVID-19 telemedicine helpline 14410 to provide medical assistance to people exhibiting coronavirus-like symptoms.
"This is a completely free service and anybody who is suffering from coronavirus-like symptoms such as cough, fever, breathlessness can call the number," he said.
Doctors willing to provide their voluntary services in the fight against COVID-19 can register themselves at www.bit.ly//IndiaTeleMed, the Chief Minister said.
"The State will be ever grateful to the doctors for their sacrifice in these testing times," he added.
Patnaik also asked the State police to take stern action against those trying to communalise the coronavirus outbreak.
The Chief Minister issued the instruction while reviewing the law and order situation in the context of COVID-19, said state government's spokesperson on COVID-19, Subroto Bagchi.
"Communal mindset is dangerous than the virus. There is no place for people trying to create communal discord over the COVID-19 situation," Patnaik was quoted as saying by Bagchi.
Asserting that Odisha has been a land of communal harmony for centuries, Patnaik said that Sala Beg has been one of the greatest devotees of Lord Jagannath.
The Chief Minister appealed to the people to strictly observe the lockdown. "Let us stay in our homes and observe social distancing to honour the policemen who have sacrificed their personal and family life," Patnaik said.
Meanwhile, 249 cases were registered for violation of different regulations and guidelines related to COVID-19, a police officer said.
Of the 249 cases, 233 were registered for violation of lockdown, five for rumour-mongering and 11 for other issues, he said, adding that 427 people were arrested.
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Twenty-nine shopkeepers were arrested in Bhadrak town for defying social distancing norms, the officer said. The Commissionerate of Police seized 2,000 vehicles, mostly two-wheelers, for violation of social distancing norms, he added.
(PTI)