COVID-19 outbreak: Odisha’s Khordha among 123 hotspot districts

New Delhi: Odisha’s Khordha district figured among 123 hotspot districts with large COVID-19 outbreaks while Bhadrak among 47 hotspots with clusters. Seven other districts of Odisha, namely Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Kalahandi, Kendrapara, Puri and Sundargarh were among non-hotspots reporting cases.

In a letter to Chief Secretaries of States and Union Territories, Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Preeti Sudan stated during the lockdown period, which has been extended till May 3, should be utilized effectively and there should be concerted effort for implementing containment measures in a focused manner.

Based on reported cases, the districts have been classified as: Hotspots, Non-Hotspots districts reporting cases and districts which have not reported positive cases.

States also need to identify hotspots based on doubling rate of confirmed cases. This exercise of identification of hotspots has to be done on weekly basis (every Monday) or earlier. Strict containment measures need to be implemented in these hotspots, the letter read.

Further, for Non-Hotspots Districts Reporting cases states need to ensure that containment measures are taken so as to ensure that case in these areas can be contained. States also need to undertake effective surveillance of SARI and ILI cases in districts not having any confirmed cases so far besides ensuring dedicated COVID hospitals.

Containment operation would be deemed over when there is no case reported in 28 days from an area after last case tests negative. Hotspots (designated red zones) will be assumed to be undertaking effective containment activities, if no case is reported in next 14 days (designated orange zones) and will be deemed successful in containment, if no case is reported for 28 days (designated green zones), the letter stated.