Covid-19 In Cuttack Educational Institute: Swab Samples Collected For Genome Sequencing, Says CMC

Cuttack: The Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) has geared up to identify whether any new Covid strain exists among the staff of a private educational institute, who tested positive for the Coronavirus on Saturday.

Apprehending new strain among the staff infected with the virus, the CMC engaged experts from the Microbiology department of SCB Medical College and Hospital, who collected swab samples from the infected staff.

"Swab samples from nine among the 17 infected staff have been collected by the experts of SCB Microbiology Department. The samples will be sent to the Regional Medical Research Council (RMRC), Bhubaneswar for genome sequencing to determine the strain of the virus," CMC Health Officer Satyabrat Mohapatra said.

New strain is apprehended as people from outside the State visit the institute frequently, he said adding that all the infected staff and students have been kept under isolation.

Meanwhile, School and Mass Education Minister Samir Ranjan Dash said that district administrations have been directed to take steps if fresh cases are reported from any educational institute in their respective jurisdiction.

"No fresh infection has been reported from any government hostel. All the college and hostel authorities have been directed to enforce Covid guidelines strictly. Fresh cases have been reported from some private hostels and these have been shut down to prevent spread," Dash said.

Notably, 17 staff of a private residential college tested covid positive in Cuttack today. Around 32 swab samples were collected from students, staff and devotees of the institution and sent for RT-PCR test on Wednesday of which 17 have been tested positive.

On Friday, 25 students of the same institute were reportedly infected with the virus.