Covid-19 in Odisha: House-to-house survey from May 24 to identify symptomatic cases

Bhubaneswar: As the second wave of Covid-19 continues to remain a concern, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today announced a house-to-house survey will be launched to detect persons with Covid symptoms and co-morbid conditions in the State. The survey will be conducted for three months.

During an all-party meeting called by State Assembly Speaker SN Patro here today the Chief Minister declared the ASHAs and Anganwadi workers will conduct the house-to-house survey from May 24. They will be provided with an additional incentive of Rs 1,000 per month, Patnaik added.

Also, ASHAs will be provided one-time assistance of Rs 10,000 for bicycle, cupboard, slippers, umbrella and torch. They have been engaged to monitor home isolation cases.

The Gaon Kalyan Samitis will be given an amount of Rs 10,000 each to carry out Covid-related activities at village level involving the community, the Chief Minister declared.

The State government also decided to continue cover widows and orphan children under the Madhubabu Pension Yojana. The children will also get free education facilities.

Patnaik also declared Sarpanchs will continue to have the powers of District Collectors in enforcing lockdown etc. Sarpanchs will also start TMCs in villages based on need and inflow of people from outside.

The State has already started operationalising zonal TMCs for persons with suspected Covid symptoms coming from outside the state.