Even as the State reported 69 new Covid-19 positive cases on Monday, Khordha district, which includes capital city Bhubaneswar, continued to be the hotspot with the district alone registering 26 out of the total cases.
On Sunday, out of the 68 cases in the State, Khordha had reported as many as 34.
Besides, the number of total active cases in the State stood at 456, out of which Khordha has reported 223.
Health Services Director Bijay Mohapatra on Monday issued fresh guidelines to contain the disease from spreading. He advised the devotees not to visit Puri during Rath Yatra to avoid spreading of infections.
Mohapatra said, “Though corona cases have reached double digits over the past few weeks, there may be a chance of a rise in the number of Covid patients during Rath Yatra. We would advise people not to throng Puri in huge numbers. They can prevent the disease from spreading by watching Rath Yatra’s telecast live on television.
The devotees who would visit Puri must wear masks. As precautionary measures, we are advising people with Covid symptoms to go for immediate testing. Besides, people must maintain social distance. People should spontaneously come forward to do the testing.”
Meanwhile, the Directorate of Public Health has also alerted all local administrative authorities, including the municipal Commissioners, Collectors and CDMOs to enhance precautionary measures.