Odisha is well prepared in the event of a third wave outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic, State Health Minister Naba Das said on Sunday.
Speaking to media, Das said, "70 percent sero survey has been completed in the State and all hospitals are ready with required beds and necessary medicines to meet the challenges of a third wave if it breaks out."
He said district-level task forces have been formed to tackle any kind of emergency during a possible third wave.
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Speaking about pediatric care, the minister said, "We have already constituted expert teams to monitor treatment of children during the third wave. Similarly, beds have been reserved to treat the children."
Emphasising on the use of masks, Das urged people of the State to follow all Covid appropriate behavior including the use of masks and social distancing during the ensuing festive season.
Meanwhile, the Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC), Bhubaneswar began State-level serological surveillance in 12 districts on Sunday.
The survey is being conducted in Sambalpur, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Keonjhar, Khordha, Puri, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Jajpur, Kandhamal, Kalahandi and Nabarangpur in order to estimate and compare the age-specific prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the general population and health care workers across the State.
On the other hand, Odisha on Sunday reported 849 new Covid-19 infection including 119 in 0-18 age group. Of the new cases, 491 were reported from quarantine centers while the rest 358 are local contact cases.
With this, the State's positive tally mounts to 10,06,503 while. 9,90,796 have recovered from the disease so far. Odisha has 7,820 active cases.