The Odisha government may re-enforce mandatory mask-wearing guidelines and intensify surveillance activities if Covid cases surge in the State, Health Director Bijay Mohapatra informed on Saturday.
Speaking to media, Mohapatra said, “Äs the Covid-19 cases are increasing in several States, the Centre has asked them to take precautionary measures. However, our State is in a much better position and as of now there is nothing to worry.”
“However, the surveillance and testing are still in place to monitor the situation in our State. We will continue the surveillance and trace the symptomatic patients. If the positivity rate increases, we will follow the modalities which we have been following since the outbreak of the pandemic in January 2020,” the top health official added.
“As the infection is in an upward trend in five States, we must follow all the precautionary measures. People must wear masks in crowded places and go through Covid test and isolate themselves if they have any symptoms of the virus,” Mohaptra stated.
Mohaptra said, “The decision to re-enforce mandatory use of masks depends on surveillance data. We are strictly monitoring the situation and necessary steps will be taken at the appropriate time.”
Notably, Odisha reported 12 new Covid 19 cases over 24 hours. At present, Odisha has 79 active cases while 12,79,227 persons recuperated from the virus.