COVID-19 Surge: Migrant Workers May Return, Odisha CM Tells Collectors ‘Be Ready’

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday directed district collectors to brace up and make proper arrangements on priority basis for the possible return of migrant workers to the State due to the lockdowns\shutdowns declared in many other states in view of the rise in COVID-19 cases.

Following a review meeting of the COVID situation in the State on Tuesday, Naveen said, “With lockdowns in seriously affected states, the Collectors should be prepared for the return of the migrants. The protocols followed earlier should be reactivated by the Collectors immediately based on the existing database.”

The quarantine norm and testing should be ensured for all returnees from other states. Senior officers assigned as observers and other responsibilities should put their best efforts like the previous year, he said.

He also directed to ramp up beds with oxygen support system and said, “Although there is no problem of beds and oxygen in the state currently, still then we will have to remain prepared.”

CM Naveen further said, “The cases in Odisha also have been increasing in the last few days. Due to our alert preparedness and pro-active measures, we have been able to manage the situation to a large extent. However, we need to be prepared for the worst-case scenario and ensure that every patient is treated with dignity and put in best efforts to save precious lives.”

Presiding the review meeting the CM said, “We have to take the following steps on priority:

1. Further increase in the number of beds in Covid Hospitals and Covid Care Centres across the State. Special focus should be on providing maximum possible number of beds with oxygen support. The system has to work on war-footing to ensure this within committed timelines.
2. Our Oxygen supply situation has to be closely monitored and ensure that all related accessories at the hospital level are available on priority.
3. Many States are facing critical medicines shortage. Even though we have sufficient medicines stock, we must ensure buffer stock to tackle higher demand in coming weeks.
4. IEC campaign has to be further ramped up. People have to be educated on the dangerous spread of the second wave and the need for active adherence to Covid protocols. The community, Mission shakti group, PRI members should be actively involved in the process.
5. The enforcement activities have to be continued to be implemented strictly across the state.

“I once again request the people of Odisha to please cooperate. We are facing grave danger and unless the people cooperate and act responsibly, it will be very difficult to tackle the situation. It is the interest of State and people that we should manage the covid situation without lockdown. Wearing mask and maintaining social distance will help us in this,” the Odisha CM added.