To further scale up the Covid-19 testing capacity in the State, the Government is all set to begin operation of three new testing facilities in Balangir, Koraput and Baripada this month.
After an inter-Ministerial review meeting on Thursday, Health Minister Naba Kishore Das informed that testing would begin at the medical college and hospitals in Balangir, Koraput and Baripada on May 16, May 23 and May 31, respectively.
The meeting also discussed Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s target to increase the testing capacity to 15,000 a day.
“Besides, we will now allow Covid-19 testing at private labs across the State. The ICMR has already given approval for it. Immediate procurement of all necessary equipments, including RT-PCR test kits and COBAS through the Odisha State Medical Corporation Limited (OSMCL) was also proposed at the meeting,” said the Minister.
It was also proposed to strictly implement the regulations introduced in the State in the year 2013 banning manufacturing, sale and distribution of gutkha and pan masala containing tobacco and nicotine.
A major decision was taken that returnees like pregnant women, senior citizens and children aged 5 years would be sent to home quarantine if they test negative for coronavirus. They would remain in contact with doctors; and whenever they complain of any Covid-19 symptoms, their testing would be done immediately. Besides, returnee migrants would be immediately sent to their houses for home isolation if they test negative.
Besides, a standard operating procedure (SOP) would be issued for maintenance of cleanliness at hospitals and quarantine centres. In view of the rise in patients in the State, the bed capacities would be increased at the Covid centres and hospitals.
While the Government had earlier targeted to keep 6,000 beds ready in the State, 4,000 more beds would be added in coming days, Minister Das further informed.