Odisha SRC Hopeful COVID Third Wave May Lose Steam Soon

The Special Relief Commissioner of Odisha, PK Jena on Wednesday expressed optimism that the ongoing third wave of COVID pandemic in the State may soon wrap itself up but only if people abide by the appropriate virus infection prevention guidelines religiously at all places.

"From the virus tally of the last few days, it seems the pandemic wave is on the wane so if we adopt the best prevention protocols as suggested by the health experts," we may help ourselves in quickly dipping the surge sooner, SRC Jena spoke to reporters on the sidelines of State-level Republic Day celebrations in Bhubaneswar.

Virus cases seemed to be under a controlled stage, so we hope that by compulsorily wearing masks, maintaining hand hygiene and social distancing will bring down the infections even further, Jena said.

The SRC however refused to share any exact timeframe on the decline of the third wave suggesting that experts would better explain how the volatile situation might evolve in weeks to come.

A day after a sudden fall in the daily COVID cases by around 1400, Odisha on Wednesday reported a sharp uptick in the number of fresh infections.

As per data available with I&PR Department, a total of 7426 cases of COVID infections have been reported from the State, a rise of 1535 cases as compared to Tuesday's figures.

As many as 867 cases have been reportedly detected from the age group of 0-18 years of age. A total of 4306 cases are from under quarantine while 3120 cases of infections are said to be local contacts.

The new surge has taken the active caseload of Odisha to 74512. The cumulative positivity count meanwhile has touched 1225268 and recoveries 1142161.