Khurda district among 123 hotspot districts

Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s Khurda district has figured among 123 hotspot districts with large outbreaks, while Bhadrak district is among 47 hotspots with clusters.

Seven other districts of Odisha are among non-hotspots reporting Covid-19 cases.

Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Kalahandi, Kendrapara, Puri, and Sundergarh are non-hotspots districts reporting cases.

Out of total 60 COVID-19 positive cases in Odisha, Bhubaneswar, coming under Khurdha district, has reported highest 46 positive cases.

Based on reported cases, the districts have been classified as: Hotspots, Non-Hotspots districts reporting cases and districts which have not reported positive cases.

In a letter to Chief Secretaries of States and Union Territories, Union Health secretary Preeti Sudan said the lockdown period, which has been extended till May 3, should be utilized effectively and there should be concerted effort for implementing containment measures in a focused manner.

“States also need to identify hotspots based on doubling rate of confirmed cases. This exercise of identification of hotspots has to be done on weekly basis (every Monday) or earlier. Strict containment measures need to be implemented in these hotspots,” the letter said.

Further, for non-hotspots districts reporting cases states need to ensure that containment measures are taken so as to ensure that case in these areas can be contained.

States also need to undertake effective surveillance of SARI and ILI cases in districts not having any confirmed cases so far besides ensuring dedicated COVID hospitals, it said.

Containment operation would be deemed over when there is no case reported in 28 days from an area after last case tests negative.

Hotspots (designated red zones) will be assumed to be undertaking effective containment activities, if no case is reported in next 14 days (designated orange zones) and will be deemed successful in containment, if no case is reported for 28 days (designated green zones.