COVID-19: Odisha to get three more COBAS machines

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government is going to install three more COBAS machines in the State that are playing a crucial role in COVID-19 testing, said an official today.

Principal Secretary of Industries department, Hemant Sharma said the three COBAS machines will be set up in next two months at three medical colleges as per the direction of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

One COBAS machine each will be installed at Koraput, Balasore and Bolangir medical colleges, he informed, adding that the move will strengthen the health infrastructure in the State.

Currently, the RMRC, Bhubaneswar is having only one COBAS 6800 machine. This has helped the State government to conduct more number of tests of samples. Out of 2500 samples being tested daily in the State, testing of 800 samples are being carried out in the COBAS machine.

Meanwhile, Odisha government’s Chief Spokesperson on COVID-19 Subroto Bagchi informed that provision has been made to spend Rs 120 and Rs 100 daily for an adult and child less than 14 years, respectively, to provide food at the government quarantine centres. Also Rs 300 will be given to them to get daily use kits. Each quarantine centre will get Rs 2000 daily to maintain cleanliness and hygiene, he said.

Till yet the State has reported 118 cases of COVID-19. The number of active cases stands at 79.