Amid increasing COVID-19 cases in Odisha, the State Government has procured a substantial number of test kits and other materials as part of its measures to ensure speedy detection of coronavirus infections.
Kits for conducting at least 4,000 tests, reagents and virus transportation mediums (VTMs) were airlifted from Mumbai on Thursday as the State Government stepped up its drive to enhance COVID-19 testing facilities, a Health Department official said here on Friday, adding that the kits would considerably boost the State’s preparedness to tackle the coronavirus spread.
The arrival of the kits is significant as the State is now all set to start coronavirus testing at three more locations in addition to the four existing test facilities, he said. The aim is to put in place adequate capacities soon to conduct at least 1,000 tests for COVID-19 daily, he said.
The Government has also decided to start tests at the MKCG Medical College Hospital in Brahmapur from April 12, at VIMSAR in Burla from April 15 and at IGH in Rourkela from April 17.
The tests are now being conducted at the RMRC, AIIMS and Institute of Life Sciences (ILC) in Bhubaneswar and the SCB Medical College Hospital in Cuttack.]
The three new testing facilities would ensure speedy detection in the State’s western and southern parts, the official said.
The fresh kits were received barely two days after 3,500 kg of medical equipment from the ICMR was airlifted by an Indian Air Force aircraft from Tambaram for establishment of medical labs and other facilities in the State.
Besides, the State Government would purchase ICMR-recognised COVID-19 rapid testing kits. One lakh rapid testing kits would be purchased soon so that more COVID-19 tests can be conducted, the official said.
The State Government also aims at setting up around 34 dedicated hospitals with over 6,000 beds exclusively for COVID-19 patients, he said. So far, several such hospitals with a total capacity of around 1,600 beds have been made operational.
To meet the manpower requirements, the Government has trained 1,500 persons, including MBBS students, postgraduate students, serving doctors and master trainers, for district hospitals for treatment of COVID-19 patients.
It has also been decided to engage 1,620 AYUSH personnel, including doctors, postgraduates and undergraduate students, for combating COVID-19 and its management. Besides, 360 district- and 2,264 block-level master trainers have been trained to handle COVID-19 patients.
To meet the expenses required for preventive measures against COVID-19 and treatment of patients, the Government on Thursday increased the corpus of its contingency fund five times from Rs 400 crore to Rs 2,000 crore.