Bhubaneswar: The Covid-19 virus can enter the body through nose and mouth despite development of antibodies due to vaccination or exposure to the virus, warned Odisha Health Services Director Bijay Mohapatra.
He said the complete data on the efficacy of a vaccine can be ascertained only after analysis.
“The rate of infection, severity and death after vaccination can't be ascertained until an analysis is carried out on it. The analysis has begun in other places outside the State. We will also start soon. The entire exercise is a time consuming process,” Mohapatra said.
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“A vaccine can protect us around 71 to 91 per cent against Covid-19 virus. But virus can enter through nose and mouth which is opened,” he cautioned.
The State government is well prepared to kick off the universal vaccination that will begin from June 21. With adequate man power, the required infrastructure is ready for the smooth conduct of inoculation.
As many critical Covid-19 patients need ECMO treatment and depend on other States due to the absence of the facilities in Odisha, the State government has started processing in a war-footing to procure ECMO machine.
Speaking on the current Covid situation, Moahapatra said the surveillance will be intensified in the districts having increasing trend of Covid infections.
As many as 17 districts, which have been classified as Category A, had witnessed first outbreak of the virus in the State. So, the infections have decreased in these areas first.
There would be a much improvement in the overall situation in the State by the end of this month, he maintained.
The top Health official further informed around 54 per cent ICU beds are occupied while 56 per cent patients are on ventilator support.