Nuapada: The director of Public Health Niranjan Mishra on Tuesday said that bus services between Nuapada and neighbouring Chhattisgarh are likely to be suspended in view of the record rise in COVID-19 cases in the bordering district during the last 24 hours.
On Tuesday, Nuapada had registered 34 Covid-19 positive cases which was the highest for a district in the State in the last 24 hours, closely followed by Khorda (32).
Mishra told reporters, "Sundargarh, Rourkela, Nuapada and other districts sharing borders with other states are now the main concern for Odisha because of the frequent travels undertaken by residents to the neighbouring states for shopping and other business purposes."
He said contact tracing has started in these districts and around 8000 RTPCR tests are being conducted in these areas which will increase to 10000 in the coming days.
As per reports, the local administration in Nuapada is using loudspeakers to spread awareness among locals residing near the bordering areas cautioning them to avoid visiting Chhattisgarh for any purpose.
As per sources, residents from Nuapada frequently visit Chhattisgarh for shopping which is suspected to be the main reason for COVID-19 spread in the district.
According to the government data, Nuapada, Bargarh, Khordha districts are reporting high numbers of students having been infected with COVID-19.
The outstation students are believed to be key carriers of the virus which is getting transmitted to locals in these districts.
The district Collectors have been informed to keep an eye on the situation and order have been issued to start contact tracing of the infected students.
All the Collectors have been empowered to announce containment zone after conducting contact tracings.
Order have been issued to start rapid testing in areas where hostels are located.