This panchayat in Odisha is new COVID-19 hotspot

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government today said Katikata panchayat under Mangalpur block of Jajpur district is the new COVID-19 hotspot as 21 positive cases have been reported from the panchayat so far.

Principal Secretary of Health and Family Welfare Department, Nikunja Dhal said the surge in the COVID-19 cases in Katikata panchayat was due to blatant violation of quarantine guidelines.

“Sadly I have say that resident of the panchayat did not behave responsibly as expected in the fight against COVID-19. Every citizen is a fighter in this war against the deadly virus,” said Dhal.

He further said, “Residents of the panchayat who were kept at facility quarantine or advised home quarantine did not adhere to the instructions and advice of the health officials and district administration. They moved freely and infected others. As a result, more case in the panchayat cannot be ruled out.”

Out of 21 positive cases reported from the panchayat, five have recent travel history to West Bengal. Others have come across the five Bengal retunes and got infected.

A total 630 samples have been collected for tests in the panchayat where around 4,500 people reside.

Jajpur district has so far reported 48 positive cases. The total number of COVID-19 cases in the State was at 157.

The number of active cases is 100. A total of 56 persons cured from the infection and one died.