Odisha to ramp up COVID-19 testing capacity to 1,000 daily in next 5 days

Bhubaneswar: Even as the COVID-19 pandemic is spreading its tentacles in Odisha, the State government today step up its measures to tackle the spread of the deadly virus. Chief Minister directed officials to expedite the process for setting up COVID-19 testing centres at MKCG hospital, Berhampur and VIMSAR hospital, Burla. This was informed by Odisha government’s Chief Spokesperson on COVID-19 Subroto Bagchi here, adding that the Satte will increase its sample testing capacity from 300 samples per day at present to 1,000 samples per day in next five days.

During a review meeting chaired by the CM and attended by Health Minister Naba Das and other officials, Patnaik directed officials to make VIMSAR and MKCG ready to become testing centres. “Already work is on in the regard and the State government expects to get ICMR approval soon,” Bagchi said.

Till yet seven COVID hospitals with 1,497 beds have been made operational in the State. A 100-bed Aswini Hospital in Cuttack, 150-bed TATA Hospital, Duburi, 50-bed TATA Hospital, Joda, 457-bed KIMS medical College, Bhubaneswar, 500-bed SUM Hospital, Bhubaneswar, 40-bed IDH, Puri and 200-bed HI-Tech Medical College, Rourkela are functioning in the State, Bagchi added.

The CM also directed officials to ensure training of doctors and health officials is completed in time frame. A total of 1500 doctors and health officials including 851 students from SCB, 325 from MKCG, 300 from VIMSAR-300 have undergone training.

This apart, 360 district master trainers and 2264 block level master trainers are undergoing training, Bagchi added.

The CM also directed police to be vigilant and take stringent action against those who are trying to communalise COVID situation, Bagchi said.

Till date 39 persons from Odisha have been tested positive for COVID-19.

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