Omicron BF.7 scare: Odisha CM asks health dept to keep tab on Covid-19 situation

Though the Covid situation is not alarming in Odisha, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has asked the Health Department officials to keep a close tab. 

Briefing about the discussion in the review meeting held on Tuesday, Public Health Director Niranjan Mishra said the CM has appealed to all to wear masks and follow Covid-appropriate behaviour.

As Odisha is gearing up to ring in the New Year amid a rise in COVID-19 cases in some countries, the state government appealed to the people not to panic, but to take necessary precautions.

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“Covid situation is not critical to be panic. But we need to be prepared to contain the disease from taking an enormous toll on humanity. Odisha has not registered a rise in Covid cases since November. Less than 12 covid cases are being reported daily,” Mishra said. 

He went on to add: “Odisha has not witnessed a spike in Covid cases during third wave which was spread due to omicron subvariant and duration of third wave was very short. Omicron subcvariant may spread this time too but we cannot make predictions about its impact.”

Meanwhile, Covid-19 mock drills were carried out in several hospitals in Odisha including SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack to monitor the efficient Covid management system.

Availability of the oxygen plants, oxygen cylinders and pipes, ICU wards, ventilators and other facilities were inspected during the mock drill.