Odisha Ministers, MLAs undergo COVID test ahead of Monsoon session

Bhubaneswar: As part of precautionary measures, all the ministers and MLAs today underwent COVID RT-PCR test ahead of Monsoon session of Odisha Assembly scheduled from September 1.

Like previous session, the swab samples of all the legislators, ministers, media persons and Assembly employees were collected for COVID test on the premises of Assembly.

Also Read: Odisha Ministers, MLAs To Undergo Antibody, RT-PCR Tests Before Monsoon Session

“Data suggested that over 40% people in Bhubaneswar with double doses of COVID vaccine have been infected with the deadly virus. Recently, the Centre has extended COVID-19 guidelines till September 30. As the House will remain in session, we are conducting the RT-PCR test of all Assembly members, ministers, employees and media persons as part of precautions. This apart, we have made arrangement for antibody test of legislators today for the first time to check their immunity,” said Speaker Surjya Narayan Patro.

Speaking about impending third wave of COVID-19, he said that it has already begun in Kerala. The scientists and healthcare experts are predicting that the children will be worst affected in the third wave. In view of it, the State Government has increased the number of beds in paediatric wards of all the hospitals.