COVID-19: 1239 persons registered themselves in 24 hours in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: As many as 1239 persons have registered themselves on COVID19 (https://covid19.odisha.gov.in) portal and toll free helpline number, hardly 10 hours of the phone line and website going live today.

Odisha government’s COVID19 spokesperson Subroto Bagchi today told media that as many as 1239 persons who have travelled abroad on or before March 4 and are currently in Odisha have registered themselves through website and toll free number in the last 24 hours. Of them, 554 persons registered themselves through 104 helpline and 685 through the website. Interestingly, the helpline number (104) received over 10, 000 calls in the last 24 hours.

“So far, 32 samples were sent for tests of which only one has tested positive. The lone person who has tested positive is under treatment and stable now,” Bagchi said.

He further informed that 546 isolation beds have been earmarked at government hospitals across the state. Besides, an isolation centre in each block and panchayat will be set up for which Rs 5 lakh has been sanctioned for each facility.

The spokesperson further highlighted ways to maintain hygiene. Apart from hand washing, Bagchi said that mobile phones are too potent carriers of the killer virus. So, mobile phones should be cleaned with sterilizing agents regularly.

“As per data, an individual touches his/her mobile phone 2600 times in a day. And, people use mobile phone for about 76 times a day. So, the device should be cleaned with mild soap water for 5-6 times a day,” he stated.

Stressing on social distancing, Bagchi said that private hospitals have been told to create COVID19 corners and advised to restrict visitors to the hospitals. On the other hand, banks have been told to put sanitizers in ATMs to contain the possible spread of the deadly virus.

To a question on shutting down of malls, he clarified that food outlets, grocery and medicine stores, and units dealing with essential commodities will continue to remain open.