Odisha govt steps up measures to control spread of COVID-19 in worst-hit Ganjam

Sambad English Bureau Published On : Jul 18, 2020 at 9:14 PM Updated On : Jul 18, 2020 at 9:17 PM

Berhampur: At a time when there has been spurt in COVID-19 cases, the Odisha government today chalked out plans to contain the spread of the disease in Ganjam district.

During a meeting held under chairmanship of Health and Family Welfare Additional Chief Secretary Pradipta Mohapatra at Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar, it was decided to check the fatalities due to COVID-19 and strengthening of health examination process.

Sick tusker dies in forest of Ghumusar North division in Odisha’s Ganjam

Man detained over alleged killing of his minor daughter in Odisha’s Ganjam; probe on

As per the decisions, round-the-clock health services at Emergency and OPD of MKCG Medical College and Hospital will be resumed at the earliest. This apart, an Additional Superintendent will be appointed at the MKCG Medical College to assist the Superintendent in COVID management.

A 100-bed COVID Care Centre (CCC) will be set up at the Pediatric ward of MKCG and function under the direct supervision of Ganjam Collector. Besides, a 150-bed COVID Care Centre at Bidyutpur and another 150-bed CCC at Sishumandir will be established. The Berhampur Municipal Corporation will manage the CCC at Sishumandir whereas the City Hospital will provide the healthcare services.

It was further decided in the meeting to reserve 10% bed at CCCs and CHCs for critical patients with low oxygen level.

Teams of psychiatry advisers led by a Psychiatrist will be formed to tele-counsel COVID-19 patients. Those who recovered from the virus infection will be appointed as psychiatry advisers. Also, they will work as COVID Monitor and counsel at least 10 patients. The government decided to provide Rs 1,000 each to the psychiatry advisers.

The COVID-19 patients in home isolation will get medicine kit and prescriptions in Odia on the drug intake. Caregiver and family of the patients will also get IEC material on the COVID awareness.

The hotels in Berhampur and Gopalpur will be directed to reserve rooms for doctors engaged in COVID duties and other frontline corona warriors.

Telemedicine services will be provided to patients requiring emergency treatment in the Medicine, Surgery, Psychiatric and Pediatric departments.

This apart, call centres will be set up to provide advices to COVID-19 patients and recovered cases.

So far, a total of 5,280 persons in Ganjam district tested positive for the deadly virus. While 52 died of the disease in the district, two others breathed their last due to diseases other than COVID-19.

Also read: COVID-19 Hotspot Ganjam Crosses 5,000-Mark; Toll At 50