Even as Odisha continues to witness a sudden spurt in the number of Covid-19 cases for the last two days, State health authorities on Thursday hinted at a further rise in the infections in the coming days.
Health Director Bijay Mohapatra today said that the State is likely to see a spurt in the Covid-19 growth rate within some days.
“Omicron variant of the virus is prevalent in most parts of the State. Hence number of cases will increase further in Odisha in coming days like all other states of the country,” said Mohapatra.
“However, the severity of the cases is so far less in the State and the Health Department is fully alert and prepared to meet any kind of eventualities arising out of the pandemic,” said Mohapatra.
As per Health Department sources, elderly population and frontline healthcare workers in the State will be administered booster doses starting from January 10.
“Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has recently approved the use of new kits for Omicron testing and effort is underway by the State government to procure those kits soon,” said the top health official.
Meanwhile, Health and Family Welfare Director Bijay Panigrahi said that as many as 2,64,000 children in the 15-18 years of age group have got their first jabs in the State so far.
“As many as 27 lakh people in the State are yet to get their first jabs. Similarly, around 26 lakh people are yet to get their second doses of vaccination. Effort is underway to complete the vaccination drive in the State at the earliest,” said Panigrahi.
(Edited by Ramakant Biswas)