It has been observed that there has been a considerable decline in COVID-19 testing in these states and union territories amid rising cases and positivity, which is a cause of concern, Ahuja said.
All the heads of departments shall also continue to ensure that all employees wear masks at all times and follow Covid-appropriate behaviour strictly, the order said.
All the five new cases of Omicron variant infection were detected following genome sequencing, said Bijay Mohapatra, Director of Health Services (DHS) on Thursday.
With rising scare of probable surge in the Corona infections driven by the newly discovered variant SARS-CoV-2 called Omicron, the Odisha government on Wednesday directed the district level authorities to enhance the daily Covid sample tests in the State to 70000.