Even though the State is reporting 10,000 to 11,000 daily Covid-19 cases, the hospitalisation rate and requirement of oxygen for patients are comparatively less during the third wave of the pandemic, said Health Services Director Bijay Mohapatra on Tuesday.
Mohapatra said, “At present, general bed occupancy is 9%, ICU 15%, ventilator 5-6% while paediatrics admission is very less. However, it is difficult to predict now if Covid-19 cases will rise or drop in near future.”
The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said there is no problem in capping home isolation period to five days, considering several aspects. “However, we need to stay in home isolation for seven days at least,” he said.
Commenting on the vaccination for the 12 to 14 age group, he said, “We have not received any guidelines from the Central Government so far. We will launch the inoculation drive for this age group once we get a green signal from the Centre.”
Mohapatra also urged the people not to take antibiotics for common flu; rather, they consult doctors before taking any medicine.