Ramakanta Biswas

Even as there is a spurt in Covid-19 infections in Delhi and some other places in the country, the current trend cannot be termed as the fourth wave of the pandemic, said a top health official on Tuesday.   

Bijay Mohapatra, State Health Services Director, said the situation in Delhi and other states may be concerning but in Odisha, it is stable right now as the daily rate of infections in the State is hovering around 10 to 20.

Mohapatra said the situation will remain under control if everybody follows the Covid safety rules.

"Odisha has not lifted the rules of mandatory wearing of masks. All are advised to wear masks to keep the virus at bay," he said.  

Speaking on the rise in cases in Delhi and some other places, Mohapatra said the World Health Organization (WHO) has said that there is no clarity on the recent surge, transmissibility and severity as of now. 

"Two days back, the IIT model suggested that the recent rise in cases is a sporadic hike. It may not precipitate a fourth wave. Thus there is no threat of the fourth wave as of now," Mohapatra said. 

"However, despite the fewer number of cases, we must continue with our surveillance," he added.

He said the health department has kept a close vigil on the situation and the District Collectors have been asked to implement new strategy as per requirement.

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