Bhubaneswar: Seems like the government's decision on migrant influx has undone all the good work done by the residents of Ganjam district. A place which was nowhere in the COVID map until May 2, became red in 3 days and 'redder' in less than a week. Twenty four new positive cases have been reported from Ganjam district as it pipped Jajpur to become the worst-affected COVID-19 hotbed in Odisha.
While the State's tally is currently at 270, Ganjam alone accounts for over 26 per cent cases as of now. However, the silver lining here is almost all the confirmed novel coronavirus (n-CoV) cases are Surat returnees and were put in quarantine post their return.
Ganjam reported 2 cases on May 2, and one each on May 4 & 5. The COVID-19 cases exploded in the next 3 days, as 67 more returnees tested positive taking the tally in the district to 71.
With 55 COVID-19 cases, Jajpur district is second in the COVID chart in Odisha, followed by Khurda (50), Balasore (27), Bhadrak (24), Sundergarh (12) and Kendrapara (8).
As far as active cases are concerned, Ganjam is at the top with 71 positives. Next in the chart is Jajpur (54), Balasore (22), Khurda (16) and Bhadrak (12).
Government data reveals that Odisha took 37 days to reach the 50-mark and in the next 15 days, the figure touched 100. COVID cases doubled to 200 in the next 11 days and it took only two days to breach the 250-mark.
Meanwhile, a person has reportedly died at Dhunkapada quarantine centre in Ganjam district. While there is no confirmation whether he was infected with COVID-19, sources said that by the time doctors arrived at the centre to treat him, he was dead. The deceased is a resident of Madhupali village under Polasara block and had returned from Surat by bus three days back.
On the other hand, the State government today increased the quarantine period to 28 days from 14 days which comprises of 21 days institutional quarantine and subsequent 7 days home quarantine. COVID-19 Spokesman Subroto Bagchi said that the decision has been taken in view of the 28-days incubation period and will have to be followed by everyone. He also informed that the inmates will be granted wages if they intend to perform tasks at their respective centres.