Bhubaneswar: As coronavirus continues to spread its tentacles far and wide across the State, the government on Saturday formed a high-level advisory committee to combat and arrest the present trend of Covid-19 Pandemic.
Odisha Chief Secretary Suresh Mahapatra, while making the announcement, said, "The panel which will comprise senior doctors and scientists from across the nation like Dr Ramakant Panda and Dr Devi Shetty will be headed by Dr Srinath Reddy.”
“The committee will be responsible for suggesting measures to the State government in the fight against the virus, vaccination and handle the possible third wave of the pandemic,” Mahapatra added.
The State government will act as per the suggestion of the high-level advisory committee and take immediate steps to implement the proposals laid down by the body, he stated.
Speaking on the global tender for vaccine procurement, he said, “A global e-tender has been floated for procurement of 3.8 crore doses of vaccines and the supply is expected to be completed within four months.”
He said, “Odisha is the first State in the Country to float global tender to procure vaccines. If successful biding takes place, then we will be able to buy vaccines after May 28”.
Sharing details about the present Covid-19 situation is the State, the Chief Secretary said, “The positivity rate in 10 districts is flattening and in some other districts it is decreasing. This is a major relief for us.”
The Chief Secretary also urged the citizens to follow Covid appropriate behaviour to check the spread of the virus.
"During last year's peak, as many as 8,000 patients were undergoing treatment at government Covid hospitals and now the number has increased to around 15,000 of which around 3,000 patients are in ICUs or ventilators. Considering the seriousness of the virus threat, I urge people to remain indoors and don't come out if not required," he advised.