As many as 358 allopathic medical officers, 116 homoeopathic medical officers and 36 homoeopathic lecturers today joined the Health and Family Welfare Department, informed Chief Minister's Office (CMO), Odisha.
Odisha's COVID-19 tally rose to 1,29,518 on Wednesday as 401 more people tested positive for the infection. This was the highest single-day spike in COVID-19 cases since February 22, when the state had recorded 428 infections.
Bijay Mohapatra, State Health Services Director, said the situation in Delhi and other states may be concerning but in Odisha, it is stable right now as the daily rate of infections in the State is hovering around 10 to 20.
About 60 per cent of local samples were found carrying Omicron strain in the last genome sequencing report.
The health department said all elective surgeries are to be stopped and emergency surgeries need to be taken up with universal precautions. It prohibited entry of media representatives inside OPD and IPD of hospitals.
In view of the present COVID-19 situation it has become essential to provide health services and advice by alternative means, the Health department said.
Both online and on-site registration facilities are available for Covid vaccination of children between 15-18 years.
The State Health Department said more than 800 non-resident Odias (NROs) have landed in the State from Omicron hit countries. Out of them, the government does not have information about 320 returnees which comprises 40 per cent of the total arrivals.
CBK Mohanty, Director of Medical Education and Training (DMET) said though we have a tradition of bursting crackers during Diwali it will lead to air pollution and helps in the growth of coronavirus infections.
State Health department has written to Collectors in all districts to constitute a committee at district-level for issuance of ‘Official document’ for Covid-19 death.
The Health Services Director further said that reminders are also sent to the beneficiaries on the day of vaccination as well.
In order to achieve daily target of 3.5 lakh inoculations, Odisha health department has asked Collectors, Municipal Commissioners, CDM&PHOs to improve the pace of Covid-19 vaccination.
The Odisha Health Department has directed district collectors, municipal commissioners, chief district medical and public health officers to remain vigilant following reports of falsified Covishield vaccine and fake vaccination sessions.
As many as 11,006 new posts of nursing officers have been created in the Odisha Health department, an official statement said on Thursday.
The Odisha government on Thursday asked the authorities at all major State-run healthcare facilities to ensure that non-health personnel are not allowed to attend patients admitted to hospitals at any cost.