Breakthrough COVID infections in Odisha: Here’s what top official says

Bhubaneswar: Amidst reports of COVID-19 infection and severity among fully vaccinated people, a top health official in Odisha said that a panel is studying the incidence of breakthrough COVID-19.

“A technical committee constituted by the State Government is studying the rate of infection and severity caused by COVID-19 among people who have received jab against the virus,” informed State Health Director Bijay Mohapatra today.

Reacting to an ICMR’s study on post-vaccine infections, the official said that the study showed that the severity was lower and antibody was developed in people after vaccination. However, there is a need for further study.

It is worth mentioning that a study by the Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC), Bhubaneswar, an ICMR organisation, has found at least 75% breakthrough infections in Odisha.

The preliminary study was conducted during March 1 and June 10 on 361 fully vaccinated people, of those 274 samples (186 male, 88 female) were found to be positive after 14 days of receiving both the doses of COVID vaccine (either Covishield or Covaxin). Out of 274, more than 83.2% were symptomatic with 9.9% of them required hospitalisation. Of breakthrough infections, 35 had received Covaxin and 239 had taken Covishield jab.

Speaking to media persons, Mohapatra said that the rate of COVID infection is found to be stable in Odisha. Though the State is witnessing fluctuation in single-day infection, the government is focusing on some districts that record rise in daily infections.

On impending third wave of the pandemic, he said that it can be predicted before it hit the State.

“The second wave had hit Odisha after Mumbai and Delhi. Hence, we will be aware of arrival of the third wave and we are fully prepared to tackle possible crisis,” Mohapatra added.

 

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