Bhubaneswar: Minutes after 16 new COVID-19 cases were detected in Bhubaneswar, Odisha Chief Minister appealed the people of the State not to panic and asked them to adhere to the lockdown measures.

As 15 of the new cases are residents of Bomikhal area, which has already been declared as a containment zone, people need not panic, the Chief Minister stated.

In a tweet, the CM said, “People need not panic. It’s in a contained area of #Bhubaneswar with known contact. Sincere appeal - please don’t venture out and respect lockdown. Police will take very tough action on violators.”

Cautioning against violation of the social distancing norm, the CM said strict action will be taken if anyone is found violating the directive.

"There will be zero tolerance on violation of social distancing. Any violation of social distancing will attract criminal action. The concerned shop/market will be sealed. Earnest request to cooperate in our fight against,” the CM said in another tweet.

Today, a total of 18 persons from Odisha were tested positive for the virus. This is the highest number of positive cases detected in a day in the State so far.

The Health and Family Welfare department also made an appeal to people to stay indoors and work from home.

“Number of COVID positive cases has surged in Bhubaneswar during the last 3 days. Residents of the temple city are urged to take responsibility, stay indoors and work from home. CORONA can be contained and together we shall overcome it,” the department said in its appeal.

It further added, “During these challenging times we request people to remain calm. All possible contacts of the COVID positive cases shall be traced, isolated and tested. That is the only way to contain further transmission. Every citizen can break the chain by staying indoors."