COVID-19: Bhubaneswar grapples with rising local cases, Sero Survey From July 1

Bhubaneswar: Despite the entire focus of the State machinery being on containing the spread of COVID-19, the rise in local contact cases in Bhubaneswar has now emerged as a major concern. Out of the total 28 new COVID-19 cases reported from Khurda district in the last 24 hours, 25 cases were reported from Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) limits and it included 23 local contact cases while the remaining two positive cases were under home quarantine.

As per the data shared by the Health Department, the total COVID-19 tally in Khurda district now stand at 814, of which 314 positive cases have been reported from Bhubaneswar so far. As many as 149 new COVID-19 cases have been reported from Bhubaneswar in the last 10 days and the city's death toll currently stands at four.

Meanwhile, the proposed sero-survey to ascertain the extent of spread of the virus will begin in Bhubaneswar from July 1, informed Institute of Life Sciences (ILS) Director, Ajay Parida on Monday. Apart from Bhubaneswar, the survey will also be undertaken in Ganjam and Gajapati districts and Badamba-Narsinghpur block of Cuttack district from July first week.

“Sero surveillance has already begun in Puri. From the survey, we can know how many persons have developed anti-bodies against the virus, infectivity and resistance proportions,” said Parida.

While responding to media queries whether Odisha has entered the community transmission stage or not, Parida informed that “Though there has been a rise in COVID-19 positive cases, majority of them are from quarantine centres while others cases are on account of direct contacts with positive cases. Hence, we cannot say that there is community spread in the State.”

Parida further informed that a genome study is currently underway to analyse the types of coronavirus and its changes. Nearly 228 strains (samples) were collected from all districts of the State and its genetic study is complete while its interpretation is pending. There are plans to extend the genome study by analysing the samples from neighbouring Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh as well, he added.

(Edited By Bikram Keshari Jena)

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