COVID-19 resurgence: No need to panic, tells Health Secretary after man tests positive for coronavirus in Bhubaneswar

After a fresh COVID-19 case was detected in Bhubaneswar after a gap of two-and-a-half years,  Aswathy S, Commissioner-cum-Secretary for the Health and Family Welfare Department, on Thursday, urged the public not to panic or become overly concerned.

Addressing concerns about the new variant, she stated, “The severity of the new variant is mild, so there is nothing to panic.”

“COVID-19 cannot be totally eradicated from the country. There have been reports of sporadic cases coming. The Delhi-returnee who has tested positive is doing well. Steps are being taken for his better treatment. However, no advisory has been issued by the Centre or the National Center for Disease Control. The Health Department has been instructed to monitor the situation and be alert, and we are doing that,” informed Awasthy S.

No New Guidelines Issued

The central government has not yet released any new directives in response to this situation. According to officials, the individual who tested positive in Bhubaneswar remains in good health despite managing various comorbidities alongside COVID-19.

She further added, “The strain that is being detected in our country in sporadic cases, that is very low in terms of severity. The strain is mild so there is no need to panic or take any stress. We are monitoring the situation and once we get advisory from the GOI, necessary steps will be taken accordingly.”

Background

This marks the return of the coronavirus in the state after a considerable period without cases. The infected person had recently travelled from Delhi and is presently under medical care in a private hospital.