With the increasing Covid-19 positive cases in the State, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Wednesday urged people to keep abiding by the lockdown restrictions and cooperate with the Government in the battle against the deadly virus.

“A little carelessness can cost us dear. This is a matter of life and death. Even disobedience to lockdown guidelines by 10 per cent people can multiply the positive cases in the State,” Patnaik said in a video message.

Expressing concern over the rising Covid-19 cases in the State, he said, “Ten days ago when I had addressed the State, the number of positive cases was only 61 in Odisha. Now, the number has risen to double. However, there is nothing to fear about it. We can avoid it if we remain alert.”

The State Government has realised that West Bengal returnees are now the new challenge for Odisha after Delhi’s Nizamuddin.

Speaking about it, the Chief Minister said, “Earlier, the persons with foreign travel history were the major challenge for us. Odisha was the first State to have started registration for the foreign returnees as part of precautionary measure to prevent spread of Covid-19. With cooperation of people, we controlled the situation. Later, people who had returned from Nizamuddin posed as the challenge for the State; and we successfully tackled the situation. Now, West Bengal returnees have emerged as the third challenge as among them 50 persons have tested positive so far.”

He said next few days would be crucial for the State as a huge number of Odisha people would return from the highly infected States like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Rajasthan and, of course, neighbouring West Bengal.

“They are our people. Only mother and motherland come to mind in difficult times. It is our responsibility to take care of them. The positive cases may rise after they return to the State. However, the situation will be under our control if you cooperate with the Government,” Patnaik said.

He, however, said the situation in Odisha is quite better than other States. He appealed to people to adhere to lockdown restrictions and cooperate with the Government in tackling the crisis. “By doing so, Odisha can script a history in the country in terms of dealing with the Covid-19 situation,” he added.