Bhubaneswar: Odisha reported the first coronavirus case on Sunday. The 33-year-old student affected by COVID-19 returned from Italy and was admitted to Capital Hospital here after symptoms started showing. He is currently undergoing treatment at the Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar.
Chief Spokesperson of the Odisha Government on COVID-19, Subroto Bagchi, confirmed that the 33-yr-old patient has been tested positive for coronavirus.
According to officials at the Hospital, a local resident of the State capital had returned from Italy recently and was put into quarantine in Delhi. However, later he reportedly took a train from Delhi to Bhubaneswar.
The 33-year-old who returned from Italy on March 6 was in self-quarantine in Delhi. He then boarded a train for Bhubaneswar on March 12 and arrived here the day after. However, when he continued to suffer from headache and fever, he consulted a doctor and took some medicines. But as his health condition did not improve, he went to Capital Hospital on March 14 where he was admitted to the isolation ward. Later, his blood and swab samples were sent to Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC) here for examination and the reports revealed that he was infected with COVID-19.
On March 13, he visited a private clinic where he was prescribed basic medication including antibiotics and antacid. However, after there was no improvement in his health condition, he visited Capital Hospital where he was admitted on March 14.
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After the man was tested positive for COVID-19, a special team of Health and Family Welfare Department of Odisha government rushed to the Capital hospital and took stock of his health condition.
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Meanwhile, doctors at Capital Hospital informed that the man's health condition was stable. The State government is reportedly collecting data of all those who had travelled with the student by train on the day so that they can be tracked for quarantine. The student’s family has also been asked to remain in quarantine.
Sources said the Health Department is scheduled to hold an emergency meeting later today. Besides, the Union government will also be apprised about the case. This apart, screening will also be done at Bhubaneswar railway station.
Speaking to ANI, Director of Directorate of Medical Education & Training (DMET), Dr CBK Mohanty, said, "One positive case of Coronavirus has been detected in Odisha. He has travel history to Italy. He later took a train from Delhi to Bhubaneswar. The patient is admitted at a Bhubaneswar hospital."
As a precautionary measure against the spread of coronavirus, tourists have been asked to stay inside their hotel rooms in Puri and shopkeepers of makeshift stalls have been directed to leave the area.
The authorities of various districts on Sunday cancelled the leaves of government employees of the State to combat the possibility of any spread in novel-Coronavirus (Covid19) disease.
The collectors of Khurda, Ganjam and Gajapati and Jharsuguda have issued orders canceling the leaves of all government employees in order to meet any exigencies due to Coronavirus outbreak.
The Police Commissioner of Twin Cities of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar has issued temporary closure notice to all shopping malls operating in the cities in the wake of the viral outbreak. The enforcement will come into effect from today.
Top tourist and religious sites in Odisha including Sun Temple in Konark and Shanti Stupa (peace pagoda) at Dhauli on Sunday shut their doors for visitors as a precautionary measure to stem the spread of novel-Coronavirus that has already claimed more than 5900 deaths globally. Similarly, a slew of restrictions have been imposed in Puri Srimandir, the shrine of Lord Lingaraj in Bhubaneswar in the wake of the viral outbreak. The Puri district administration started frisking vehicles and screening passengers at Pipili entry point.
On the other hand, the State Election Commission of Odisha on Monday postponed the March 24 panchayat bypolls after the state reported its first case of novel coronavirus.
The authorities ordered closure of all government and private schools with immediate effect amid the growing coronavirus threat, an official said.
A notification, issued by the SEC, said that the bypolls to two zilla parishad seats, six sarpanches, eight panchayat samiti seats and 84 wards have been postponed until further orders.
Another notification by the school and mass education department said that the ongoing annual examination of class 12 students and the evaluation of the answer sheets of class X students will continue as per schedule.
The housing and urban development department asked authorities of all the local bodies to keep community centres, cyclone shelters or any other buildings ready with electricity and water supply facility to quarantine people.
State commerce and transport minister Padmanabha Behera said advisories have been issued to passengers and drivers and staff of both the government and private buses will have to wear masks.
The government, through public announcement system, asked people not to gather in sea beach and keep the environment clean.
This apart, restrictions have been imposed on conduct of festivals like Haripur Dola Ustav, 'Baruni Snan' and other festivals.
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