Daily Covid tally jumps over 1000 in Odisha even as state begins booster dose campaign

Odisha on Friday reported more than 1000 cases of Covid for the first time in last several months. According to data released by the State Health Department, 1043 positives have been detected from across Odisha in the last 24 hours on July 15. 

With 609 infections, the bulk of cases have been reported from quarantine while the rest 434 are local transmission cases. As many as 100 cases have also been detected among 0-18-year-olds.

Khordha, Cuttack and Sundargarh continue to record grim milestones with 335, 205 and 106 cases in the last one day. The fresh infections meanwhile took the active caseload of state to 4825. 

On the other hand, the State government today initiated the campaign for universal inoculation of Covid booster shots to adults under 60 years of age.

The Union Health Ministry has already ordered free booster doses of Covid vaccine at government centres over the next 75 days from Friday to mark the country's celebration of 75 years of Independence.

State Chief Secretary had also announced on Thursday that students would now be administered free booster doses at engineering colleges, hostels and other higher educational institutions.

According to government data, the state government has prepared to provide free booster doses at 2,500 vaccination centres across Odisha.