Omicron Case In Andhra Pradesh: Gajapati Dist Admin Steps Up Vigil Expecting Mass Arrivals

With Andhra Pradesh registering its first Omicron positive case on December 12, a high alert has been sounded across the bordering districts of Odisha. 

Gajapati being one of the bordering areas, the district administration finds itself on toes. It is expected that a large number of people working in AP will return to the district this month due to the scare. Keeping this in mind, the district administration claimed to have taken all precautionary measures. Apart from intensifying Covid-19 vaccination in the areas surrounding Paralakhemundi town, that are sharing borders with AP, and in other parts of the district, testing has also been stepped up.

The sub-divisional police officer (SDPO), Paralakhemundi told OTV that checking at entry points on roads connecting AP has been beefed up. “We are also investigating the travel history of the people coming to our side and accordingly their testing is being carried out. In the coming days, the checking will be intensified by engaging more staff,” he added.  

Informing about the measures the district administration is taking, Gajapati district Collector Lingaraj Panda said the people should be more careful since neighbouring state Andhra Pradesh has reported Omicron positive case. “People should follow Covid-19 guidelines like wearing masks, use of sanitiser and wash their hands frequently,” he said. 

“We expect people from our district working in AP will arrive this month. We are on high alert. We have set a target to vaccinate 10,000 people a day so that the entire eligible population will be covered. And testing is also going on in Paralakhemundi town and rural pockets,” he added.