Odisha Govt to issue fresh guidelines for New Year!

Bhubaneswar: Scaling up preparedness for a possible third wave due to Omicron variant of COVID-19, Odisha Government today held a high-level meeting to chalk out strategies to tackle the impending situation.

Briefing mediapersons following the meeting, Director of Public Health Niranjan Mishra said all Collectors and Municipal Commissioners have been directed to tighten restrictions and intensify surveillance. They have also been instructed to ensure that unvaccinated people are administered with the vaccine doses at the earliest.

The health official also informed that Collectors and Municipal Commissioners have been asked to increase the number of genome sequencing for COVID-19. Samples of people testing positive in RT-PCR test and those with higher viral load will be sent for genome sequencing.

Mishra further indicated that the state Government may come up with fresh and stricter guidelines in view of the Ney Year celebrations. He also informed that authorities of educational institutions have been directed to immediately isolate hostel students having flu-like symptoms.

Also Read: Don’t step out unless necessary: Odisha CM amidst Omicron scare

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, in a message, called upon the people of the state to remain cautious in order to keep the new variant of COVID-19 at bay.

“Each and every life is precious to me. The new variant is rapidly spreading.  Hence, we have to stay alert and strictly follow COVID Appropriate Behaviour to reduce the chances of getting infected with the virus. Don’t be careless. Wear mask and maintain social distancing,” Patnaik said in his message.