While COVID-19 positive cases continue to rise in Jajpur, the district seems to be the next hotspot of the deadly virus in the State.
After four more persons tested positive for coronavirus on Thursday, the total number of infected persons increased to 16 with 11 actives cases in the district.
As per the Health & Family Welfare Department data, Khordha and Bhadrak districts have a number of red zones. However as per the latest tally as on April 23, Jajpur has been placed second in the list of districts with COVID-19 positive cases after Khordha, which includes State capital Bhubaneswar.
The influx of people from West Bengal and other neighbouring States has become a cause of concern for the Odisha Government. Some of the people arriving at their villages have been found to be corona positive.
Meanwhile, DGP Abhay visited Baleswar and Mayurbhanj districts on Wednesday to review the implementation of lockdown. Though he expressed satisfaction over the implementation, it still remains a concern as a truck container was on Thursday stopped by villagers near Ranital in Bhadrak district it was carrying people from other States. The Haryana-registered truck, however, managed to drive away from the spot.
As on Thursday, the number of COVID-19 positive cases in the State stood at 89. While Khordha district has the highest number of 46 cases with 24 active cases in Bhubaneswar followed by Jajpur (12), Bhadrak (11) and Baleswar (10), the remaining positive cases have been reported from Sundargarh (3), Kendrapada (2), Kalahandi (2), Dhenkanal (1), Cuttack (1) and Puri (1) districts.
Out of the total number positive cases, 32 persons have recovered from infections and one person has died. He had co-morbidity and was over 70 years old.
Besides, a septuagenarian from West Bengal, who had recovered from COVID-19, died on April 21. He was undergoing treatment at a private hospital for pituitary tumour.
The deadly virus has spread to 10 districts. However, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Puri and Kalahandi have become coronavirus-free now.