TV
After a brief lull, COVID-19 cases are reappearing in Odisha, with Cuttack city reporting two active cases in a single day, marking a concerning uptick in local transmission after weeks of little to no activity in the region.
According to Cuttack Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) Prashant Hota, two individuals tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday.
As per reports, the first patient is a 44-year-old man with no recent travel history. He reportedly developed symptoms such as cold and fever and was subsequently tested, following which his report came back positive. Reports also stated that he is currently under home quarantine.
Later the same day, a second patient was confirmed to be an elderly resident from the Rausapatna area of the city. Unlike the first case, he required hospitalisation and is currently undergoing treatment in a private healthcare facility. His condition is being monitored closely, said sources.
Meanwhile, health officials began contact tracing for both patients, and their immediate contacts are being advised to undergo testing and self-isolate as a precaution.
Spike in Statewide Cases
The two cases in Cuttack follow a larger trend across the state. On Wednesday, the State Health Department confirmed five new COVID-19 cases, four from Bhubaneswar and one from Khordha.
Among these, four were male and one was female. All patients were subsequently kept under isolation, and containment measures were activated in the affected areas.
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Rising Public Concerns
The fresh detections in urban centres like Cuttack and Bhubaneswar have triggered concern among residents, especially with no major public health advisories in place. The fact that both Cuttack cases appear to have no travel links suggests the possibility of local transmission.
Adding to the concern, healthcare centres in Odisha have reported a sharp rise in outpatient visits for flu-like symptoms over the past week.
Authorities have not yet reintroduced any restrictions, but they are urging people, particularly those in high-density areas, to remain cautious. However, it must be noted that there are no grievous alerts or a need to panic, but self-preventive measures must be practised.
