Odisha to conduct door-to-door surveillance for COVID-19

Bhubaneswar: The Health Department of the Odisha Government will conduct active surveillance for COVID-19 across the state, said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at a technical workshop for healthcare personnel through videoconferencing here today.

“As the next few weeks are critical in controlling the spread of COVID as well as monsoon induced other communicable diseases, the Health Department is also to conduct a state-wide integrated campaign for house-to-house active surveillance for COVID, co-morbid conditions, TB, malaria and diarrhoea,” the CM said at the workshop.

A similar door-to-door health screening has already been launched in Ganjam district.

The CM also advised the healthcare workers to ensure their safety citing instances of healthcare personnel getting infected with COVID-19 recently.

“I have been distressed to note that over the past few weeks there have been instances of service providers in health facilities getting infected with COVID. This points to a probable breach in maintaining infection control practices. I would like to emphasize again that you are the strength of the people in this long war. Please first ensure your safety and the safety of your team,” said Patnaik.

“Keeping in mind that our healthcare workers are our most valuable asset in the fight against COVID, but also the most vulnerable, the state has taken extensive measures for training of personnel and purchase of required consumables, for personal protection. It is now essential that these protocols continue to be meticulously followed by you, to prevent infection amongst our valuable frontline workers and to maintain the faith of the people in our health institutions,” the CM said.