Odisha Fights Corona: Puri King Signs Up For Home Quarantine After US-Return

Bhubaneswar: In times of public emergency, strict adherence to instructions invariably goes a long way in effective management of the crisis. Leading from the front, the Puri King, Dibyasingha Deb today signed up for home quarantine, following State government’s directive that people arriving from abroad in the state have to register themselves within 24 hours and remain under home quarantine to contain the spread of the Coronavirus.

Dibyasingha Deb, who had returned from the USA on March 15, today registered himself and his family members, who also accompanied him, on the Odisha government portal and stayed under home quarantine at his Bhubaneswar-based residence.

A release from Dibyasingha Deb’s office informed that “After attending several programmes in Shree Jagannath Temples in various cities of the USA, Shree Gajapati and his family members returned to Bhubaneswar on 15^th of this month and are remaining in their Bhubaneswar residence while taking all precautions for maintaining good health in view of Covid-19. Today Shree Gajapati Maharaj and his family members have registered online in the State government’s Covid-19 registration portal and will remain at their Bhubaneswar residence for the next 14 days.”

Through the release, the Puri King appealed to everyone who arrived in Odisha on or after March 4, from travel abroad to immediately register in the government registration portal and to remain in home isolation for at least 14 days while taking all precautions as advised by the government.

Later in the day, the Puri King, speaking exclusively to OTV, said that "Me and my family members are perfectly fine. We had been to the US & visited some Jagannath temples there as a part some religious activities. Upon return, as per the State government's guidelines, we registered ourselves & are now under home quarantine. I urge everyone returning from abroad, to report it to the authorities and undertake self quarantine."

In another exemplary instance, the Odisha Sports department Director, Vineel Krishna has also registered himself online in Odisha govt's Covid-19 portal after returning from abroad & will remain in self-quarantine for next 14 days. In a self-shot video, Krisha informed about his decision to register himself for home quarantine.

Sports Director Vineel Krishna registers himself online in #Odisha govt's #COVID19 portal after returning from abroad & will remain in self-quarantine for next 14 days; says, "I appeal all to strictly follow the advisory of State govt & help fight back #Coronavirus" pic.twitter.com/4JiJInv6z1

— OTV (@otvnews) March 17, 2020

As per the data provided by Odisha government’s spokesperson on Coronavirus outbreak, Subroto Bagchi, “In last 24 hours, 1239 persons in have registered themselves on the COVID19 portal for self-quarantine; while 554 have registered through the call centre, 685 have registered on the portal.”

#OdishaFightsCorona: In last 24 hours, 1239 persons have registered themselves on the #COVID19 portal for self-quarantine; while 554 have registered through the call centre, 685 have registered on the portal: #Odisha govt’s spokesperson on #Coronavirus, Subroto Bagchi pic.twitter.com/IclyLhCVuH

— OTV (@otvnews) March 17, 2020

Meanwhile, three railway employees on board the Delhi-Bhubaneswar Rajdhani Express, who came in contact with the first COVID-19 positive patient in Odisha, have been asked to be under self-quarantine, informed a senior official of East Coast Railway.

As per official sources, apart from the three ticket examiners, who are on railway payroll, 3 contractual employees - bedroll staffer and two catering staff - have also been sent on self-quarantine.

The patient had boarded the Delhi-Bhubaneswar Rajdhani Express after arriving in the country from Italy. He was admitted to the Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar last Saturday and was tested positive late on Sunday night.