Odisha heading towards community transmission phase of Omicron!

Bhubaneswar: Odisha is heading towards ‘community transmission’ phase of the new Omicron variant of COVID-19, informed Director of Public Health Niranjan Mishra here today.

Speaking to mediapersons, the senior health official said, “even though there has been a slight drop in COVID-19 daily cases over the past few days, its too early to claim that the virus is on a downward trend in the state. We have to wait for few more days.”

He further said community transmission is already there in multiple metro cities, but not in Odisha so far. However, a similar situation could emerge in the state soon. Spurt in the number of Omicron variant infected patients with no travel history indicates community transmission.

“As per data obtained from the last genome sequencing, around 60 per cent Omicron cases in the state were local contacts. The number must have increased further,” he added.

Also Read: 7291 more test COVID positive in11.7 Odisha; TPR %

On occupancy pf hospital beds, Mishra said, the number of hospitalization in the state is very less; currently, it is below 2 per cent. Besides, no Omicron infectee has died in the state so far, he added.

The official further urged people to get themselves tested even if they develop mild symptoms. “Your entire family will be infected if you don’t get yourself tested at the first,” he cautioned.

Today, as many as 7,291 fresh cases were reported in the state with the Test Positivity Rate (TPR) for the day remaining at 11.7%. Khordha district registered highest 1,705 fresh infections, followed by Sundargarh (646) and Cuttack (561).