In view of an uptick in Covid-19 cases in States like Maharashtra and Kerala, the Odisha Government has extended the Covid testing deadline till April 30 from March 31.
Besides, the State Government has decided to ramp up testing, for which six doctors and an official in rank of Special Secretary have been assigned to monitor the process.
“Even as the Covid infections are under containment in Odisha, we need to remain on alert. We want to make sure that returnees from other States are not infected with Coronavirus. We are discussing with the RMRC, ILS researchers and Directorate of Public Health on imposing restrictions on movement of returnees,” said Health and Family Welfare Secretary Pradipta Kumar Mohapatra.
Keeping the rise in Covid cases in mind in Maharashtra and Kerala, passengers visiting from five high-risk States including these two, are undergoing thermal screening test in airports and railway stations. The Covid test is being conducted only on returnees with symptoms. If required, other States can be listed in the category, he added.
So far, 10,94,952 persons have been vaccinated in the State. On Friday, 77,094 persons received the vaccine, of which 393 healthcare workers took the first dose and 5,698 were administered the second dose.
As many as 941 frontline Covid warriors were vaccinated with the first dose and 20,753 with second dose. Similarly, 47,179 senior citizens were given the shot on 12th day of the third phase vaccination programme with which the total rose to 3,00,589.
Besides, 2,940 persons above 45 age and below 59 with comorbidities were administered the vaccine on Friday.