In view of rising COVID-19 cases both in country and in Odisha, the State government on Monday decided to enforce to use of mask in all health institutions in the state.
As per a fresh order from the Public Health Directorate, masks have been made mandatory for all healthcare providers during duty hours, all officials and others present in the meetings, during congregation of people particularly in close rooms, persons providing clinical/laboratory & other support services in the hospital setting.
Wearing masks have also been made compulsory for people while visiting areas having possibility of high transmission and the persons with influenza like illness.
The daily Covid-19 cases tally on Sunday breached the 500-mark in Odisha. The health department officials on Sunday informed that 502 new cases of Covid-19 infections were reported from different parts of the state in the past 24 hours.
It is pertinent to mention here that Odisha like other states in the country is also witnessing a surge in Covid-19 cases. Earlier the state had reported 400-plus Covid-19 cases for two consecutive days. The state reported 387 new cases on Thursday and 431 Covid-19 infections were detected on Friday.