Is Jajpur the next COVID-19 hotspot in Odisha?

Bhubaneswar: While COVID-19 positive cases continue to rise in Jajpur, the mineral-rich coastal district seems to be the next hotspot of the deadly virus in Odisha.

After four more persons tested positive for novel coronavirus today, the total number of infected persons increased to 12 with 11 actives cases in Jajpur district so far.

As per data released by Health & Family Welfare Department, Odisha, Khordha and Bhadrak districts have a number of red zones in the state. However,  as per latest tally as on April 23, Jajpur has been placed second in the list of districts where maximum number of COVID-19 positive cases have been reported.

Till yesterday, Jajpur district had reported 8 positive cases including 7 active cases and one recovered case.

The influx of people from West Bengal and other neighbouring states has become a cause of concern for the state government. Some of the people arriving at their villages have been found to be positive. The contact tracing and active surveillance has contributed to the number.

Meanwhile, DGP Abhay visited Balasore and Mayurbhanj districts yesterday to review the implementation of lockdown. Though the top cop expressed satisfaction over the implementation, it still remains a concern as a truck container was today stopped by villagers near Ranital in Bhadrak, in which people were allegedly being transported. The truck registered in Haryana, however, drove away from the spot.

As on today, the number of COVID-19 positive cases stands at 87 in Odisha. While Khordha district has the highest number of 46 cases with 24 active cases in Bhubaneswar followed by Jajpur (12), Bhadrak (11) and Balasore (8) districts, the remaining positive cases have been reported from Sundargarh (3), Kendrapara (2), Kalahandi (2), Dhenkanal (1), Cuttack (1) and Puri (1) districts.

Out of total number of 87 COVID-19 positive cases in Odisha, 32 persons have been recovered from the deadly infections and one person succumbed while undergoing treatment at AIIMS. He had co-morbidity and was over 70-years old.

On the other hand, a septuagenarian from West Bengal who had recovered from COVID-19 died on April 21. He was undergoing treatment at a private hospital for pituitary tumour.

The deadly virus had spread to 10 districts in the state. However, Cuttack (1), Dhenkanal (1), Puri (1) and Kalahandi (2) have become coronavirus-free now.