The Odisha government on Monday began a two-day-long mock drill to take stock of the preparedness in case another wave of coronavirus hits the State.
The State government is almost on an overdrive after the Union Health Ministry directive to be prepared for any eventuality arising out of the recent spike in the Covid cases.
From Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar to the District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) in Puri, all senior health officials including the CDMO were seen visiting hospitals to inspect the preparations.
Director of Capital Hospital, Dr Laxmidhar Sahu said, “The two-day mock drill has been proposed to ascertain our preparedness for the next Covid wave."
Similarly, in Chhatrapur hospital, a 320-bedded Covid ward with three ICU beds and all the requisite equipment have been put in readiness for any exigencies.
“We have a city hospital, four sub-divisional hospitals, 28 CHCs and 90 PHCs. Covid beds in all these hospitals are ready,” said Dr Jagdish Patnaik, District Health Officer, Ganjam.
"Even as the Covid-19 cases are rising in Odisha, there is nothing to worry about as the infection rate is stable," said Public Health director Niranjan Mishra on Monday.
According to Mishra, 102 new Covid-19 cases were reported from different parts of the state on Monday. At present, there are 629 active Covid-19 cases in Odisha and most of the positive patients have minor symptoms. Out of the total active cases, only 12 patients are undergoing treatment at various hospitals, added Mishra.
India on Monday logged 5,880 coronavirus cases, according to data released by the Union Health Ministry. The country also saw 14 deaths due to the virus.
Apart from Covid, doctors report that the Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is also rising among kids. RSV is a highly contagious virus that causes respiratory infections, especially in young children.