COVID-19: Odisha govt changes strategies

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has decided to change its strategies to deal with the COVID-19 situation.

As a part of the new strategy, Covid Care Home Facility will come up in every Gram Panchayat in which 10 to 20 persons shall be accommodated, informed Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

People with symptoms of cold, fever and cough shall stay in these care homes. Persons, detected positive after testing will be referred to COVID Hospitals. This will create the facility to accommodate around 70,000 persons in rural areas.

The Chief Minister said that Ward level Committees will be formed in both rural and urban areas in order to decentralise COVID-19 management.

The committee shall include Ward Members, ASHAs, Anganwadi Workers, ANMs and the members of Self Help Groups and shall be empowered according to the Pandemic Act.

‘Gaon Kalyan Samitis’ shall be entrusted to manage the committee with an expenditure limit upto Rs.10,000. Sarpanchs shall have power over the management of Covid Care Homes and TMCs.

Similarly, Ward Committees in urban areas shall be managed by the Ward Officers, assisted by the local people and volunteers.

COVID-19 awareness drive is being intensified. Household survey is going on.

Persons with severe illness and with symptoms of cold, cough and fever shall be identified and arrangement shall be made to provide them necessary advice and treatment.

The Chief Minister emphasised upon taking special care for elderly people and children below 10 years.

He said that Odisha is in a better position in COVID-19 containment, compared to other States of the country because of whole hearted cooperation of the people.

Readiness of 10,000 beds in exclusive Covid Hospitals, enough stock of medical equipments and special training to health personnel have brought the rates of recovery to a satisfactory level and restricted the mortality rate to the least.