COVID-19 tests are now being conducted in eightlaboratories, including one private facility, across Odisha.
The testing will begin at the medical colleges inBolangir, Koraput and Baripada on May 16, May 23 and May 31respectively, Health and Family Welfare Minister N K Das saidafter a meeting.
Das said the meeting also discussed Chief MinisterNaveen Patnaiks direction to increase the number ofcoronavirus testing to 15,000 daily.
The state on Wednesday conducted 4,394 tests. A totalof 77,150 samples have been tested in the state so far, anofficial said.
Odisha has also planned to extend the corona testingfacilities to more private laboratories in different parts ofthe state.
Recently, the ICMR granted permission to IMS & SUMHospital in Bhubaneswar to conduct COVID-19 tests. It is thesecond private hospital after Apollo to get approval toconduct the tests, official sources said.
Das said the inter-ministerial group meeting alsodiscussed a proposal to increase the bed strength in differentCOVID-19 care centres.
At present, there are 6,000 beds which need to beincreased to 10,000 in the wake of the rise in the number ofCOVID-19 patients in the state, the minister said.
At least 73 people, who included 71 returnees fromGujarat, West Bengal and Karnataka, tested positive forCOVID-19 in Odisha on Thursday. The number of active cases isnow 450.
The inter-ministerial group meeting also discussed thematter of allowing returnees mainly pregnant women, seniorcitizens and children - to go for home quarantine instead ofstaying at temporary medical centres, if they test negativefor COVID-19, Das said.
The minister said those allowed to remain quarantinedat their homes will have to be in contact with doctors andimmediately report if there is any complaint.
Das also said a standard operating procedure will soonbe announced on the maintenance of cleanliness at hospitals. AAM SBNNN NN