Amidst the resurge in Covid-19 cases in the second wave of the pandemic, the Odisha Government on Friday said there has been no reports of the new triple mutant variant of the virus in the State so far.
The new strain, which has a higher transmission rate, has been found in West Bengal, Delhi and Chhattisgarh.
And it is being studied if vaccine can prevent the new variant, said Health and Family Welfare Director Bijay Panigrahi.
Regarding vaccination, he said that 54,41,478 people have so far been vaccinated in the State and only 50 of them have reportedly contracted the virus after getting the first jab. “One cannot contract the virus after being administered with both the doses. The rate of fatality and transmission will decrease if more people will be completely vaccinated at the earliest,” Panigrahi said.
The vaccination drive would remain suspended during weekend shutdown across the State. However, the drive has been halted at 800 centres in the state due to vaccine shortage, he informed.
Earlier on Thursday, the State Government directed the district Collectors to stop supply of Covid-19 vaccines to private immunisation centres as they would have to procure the vaccines directly from the manufacturers.
It is to be mentioned here that vaccination of people aged above 18 years will begin from May 1 while registration for same will start on April 28.