In a major incentive to the health staff working tirelessly against the Covid-19 outbreak in the State, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today took a policy decision to release 4-months salary in advance. This will benefit over 48,000 employees working in the State health centres and hospitals. Besides, the State government today released Covid-19 assistance worth Rs 44.5 crore to the 30 districts.
“As per Odisha government’s official assessment, over 78,233 migrant workers have returned to the State from high-burden states like Maharashtra, Karnataka and Delhi. With an element of doubt remaining over they acquiring the disease, the State government has directed gram panchayats and zilla parishad authorities to identify and ensure that they follow the home quarantine protocol of State government,” said Subroto Bagchi, Covid-19 Chief spokesperson.
He further informed that as many as 27 districts in the State have seen returnees totalling between 1000 – 11000, whereas the number is only 500 in 3 remaining districts. Meanwhile, the number of foreign returnees registered in State government’s Covid-19 portal has increased to 4,015 as on 3 pm today.
As per the Covid-19 bulletin of State Health Department, 133 samples out of over 4000 foreign returnees were sent for test. Test results of 129 samples resulted negative. No new samples tested positive today. On the other hand, the health condition of State’s 2 Covid-19 positives are stated to be stable, the bulletin informed.
However, one disconcerting fact tumbled out is Odisha government is yet to trace out three of the 57 individuals in the State, who have come in contact with the Covid-19 positives.
Other Major Announcements:
*Under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), OMC contributed Rs 500 cr to the CM Relief Fund today, in addition to interim dividend of Rs 250 cr.
*In order to maintain sufficient medicine supply, Odisha State Medical Corporation Limited (OSMC) has announced an incentive policy for medicine suppliers. Under it, delivering the consignment 7-days in advance, suppliers will get 50 per cent bonus payment. The gradation it outlined is: 25 per cent bonus payment for supplying 15-days in advance and 10 per cent if supplied within 30-days.