Door-to-door surveillance top priority in fight against COVID-19: Odisha top official

Bhubaneswar: As part of precautionary measures to tackle the impending third wave of COVID-19, the State Government is focusing on intensifying door-to-door surveillance, the ‘most potent’ weapon against the deadly virus.

A top health official stated it stressing on hidden COVID cases that may rise infections again ahead of possible third wave.

“If the third wave arrives in Odisha, there must be hidden cases. Hence, the door-to-door surveillance is the powerful weapon against COVID-19,” said State Health Director Bijay Mohapatra.

Speaking to news reporters today, he said that many infectees show reluctance to undergo COVID test even having developed the symptoms. It causes the rise in hidden cases in the State.

As the dengue cases also rise during the monsoon, as per the decision by the State Government, surveillance will be carried out separately to detect the hidden COVID infections as well as cases caused by mosquito-borne viral disease.

“While active surveillance will be done for COVID, a special drive will begin for detection of dengue cases. The door-to-door surveillance will be intensified even after August 24 this year,” Mohapatra said.

The health workers have been asked to lay emphasis on covering all households to detect the hidden COVID cases in high risk urban areas including Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Balasore and Baripada, he said explaining, “Many infectees do not visit the hospitals or testing centres for COVID test. Even after developing the symptoms like cold and fever, they immediately take medicines to hide it from others.”

Earlier, the Government had directed the chemists and druggists to share details about patients with suspected COVID-19 purchasing medicines from their stores.