Bhubaneswar: The COVID-19 situation in Khordha district is steadily turning grim with a sharp rise in the daily positive cases and deaths since the beginning of the month of August.
A record 524 positive cases were detected in Khordha today, taking the total number of cases in the district to 10,370. The death toll has also breached half-century mark (now 52) with one more person succumbing to the disease today.
It is pertinent to mention here that the maximum number of cases from the district is being reported from the region under the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC). On Thursday, a total of 317 positive cases were reported by BMC of which 172 were detected from quarantine centres while 147 were local contact cases. The total number of positive cases in the capital city now stands at 6,396 with 31 deaths, while 3,953 persons have so far recovered from the disease. BMC had reported the highest single-day spike of 370 cases on Wednesday of which 166 were local contact cases.
While the continuous rise in the number of local contact cases has become a cause of concern, BMC commissioner, Prem Chandra Chaudhary said that the rise in cases is due to the increase in testing.
"Our testing has increased... With the opening of all kinds of economic activities and offices, the COVID number has increased a bit. We are comfortable in all departments. We have sufficient number of ICU beds and ventilators," said Chaudhary.
On the rising cases in Khordha, former Bhubaneswar AIIMS director, Ashok Mohapatra said, "People in Khordha should be extra careful. Elderly citizens should remain indoors. People should also avoid congregation at liquor shops and markets."
Meanwhile, Bhubaneswar (Central) MLA, Ananta Narayan Jena tested positive for the virus on Thursday and is currently on home quarantine.
(Edited By Bikram Keshari Jena)
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