Coronavirus statistics going down in Odisha: Patnaik

Bhubaneswar, Apr 14 () Odisha Chief Minister NaveenPatnaik expressed happiness on Tuesday over coronavirusstatistics going down in the state. Reviewing the COVID-19 situation in the state at a highlevel meeting through video-conferencing, Patnaik askedpolice to ensure that movement of agriculture products do notstop and those indulging in domestic violence during lockdownare punished.

I am pleased to see coronavirus statistics are levelingin the state and going down. It is a good sign, Patnaik said.

According to the latest count, Odisha has 56 confirmedcases of COVID-19, out of whom 18 have recovered. One personhas died in the state due to the deadly virus.

Odisha had five confirmed coronavirus cases from March15 to April 1. But, the figure rose sharply to 45 in betweenApril 3 to April 10. The state had reported six cases ofinfection from April 11 to April 13.

A total of 18 positive patients have been cured of theinfection leaving the state with 38 active cases at present.

Odisha was the first state in the country to announceextension of lockdown beyond April 14 deadline to April 30.

Patnaik thanked the people, doctors, nurses, healthworkers, people engaged in sanitation and the officialsworking round-the-clock to contain the spread of the highlyinfectious disease.

He instructed officials to ensure that the movement ofessential commodities and agricultural produce are notdisrupted.

Expressing concern over complaints of domestic violenceduring lockdown, the chief minister told the DGP to deal withsuch cases with an iron hand.

He also directed the state police chief to receivecomplaints of domestic violence over phone and provideassistance to the victims. Though the state government has so far established 20dedicated COVID Hospitals in 18 districts, Patnaik directedofficials to ensure within the next week that such arrangementis extended in all the 30 districts of the state. The state government has already chalked out a plan to setup COVID-19 Hospitals in 36 places having a total capacity of6,000 beds by the end of this month. Patnaik also expressed satisfaction over starting oftesting facilities for the virus at MKCG Medical CollegeHospital in Berhampur. He directed officials to take steps tostart a coronavirus testing centre at VIMSAR Burla by April16. The chief minister also instructed the officials toprovide training to personnel from police, administration andothers deployed in containing COVID-19 infection. Chief Secretary A K Tripathy informed the chief ministerthat as of now around 1.5 lakh personnel of variousorganisations have been given training on COVID-19 containmentat different levels. AAMSNS SNS