Vikash Sharma

Bhubaneswar: As the situation still remains grim following the outbreak of novel Coronavirus in China, the blood samples of a youth from Odisha who recently returned from China has been collected and sent for tests to ICMR in Delhi.

According to reports, the youth identified as Sambit Nayak from Puri Balisahi was working in a private company in China and returned to Odisha on January 24. Nayak’s blood samples were collected at Capital hospital and sent for tests on January 26.

Even though the test reports are still awaited, Nayak’s family and locals in his native village are in a state of panic.

“I arrived here on January 25 and went to Capital hospital the next day. All tests were conducted and we are waiting for the reports. I was staying some 600 kms away from the place where Coronavirus outbreak has been reported in China,” said Nayak.

Following directions from Centre, Odisha government has also swung into action to tackle any situation emerging out from the Coronavirus outbreak in China.

Odisha Health Department Secretary chaired an emergency meeting which was attended by hospital superintendents and medical managers of 30 districts today. Clear instructions have been given to set up isolation wards in all district headquarters hospitals and other important health centres in the State.

Special wards have already been opened at SCB, MKCG, Capital Hospital and Rourkela Government Hospital.

“This is an emerging situation and we will plan and change our strategies to tackle the situation accordingly. We have already set up isolation wards and adequate steps will be taken in view of the situation,” said Odisha Health department secretary, Nikunj Bihari Dhal.

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