The appeal was made by Development Commissioner S CMohapatra while briefing media on the prevailing COVID-19situation in the state. He said it will be too early to cheerover detection of just 60 COVID-19 positive cases within aspan of one month.
During the mass test to be conducted during the secondphase of the lockdown scheduled to end on May 3, the statewould be able to assess the actual position of the pandemiconly after getting test reports, he said.
"Though majority of the samples tested so far arenegative in the state, we should not be happy thinking thatCorona is defeated. We will be confident only after conductingtests on a large-scale. However, the rate of corona positivityin Odisha remains low in comparison to the global and nationalaverage," Mohapatra said.
He said that Odisha was in a "comfortable position",and this has been possible due to sacrifice of the people. "Wecannot be happy and break social distancing norms and gatherin large numbers. The people should stay indoors," he said,adding that the government is planning a massive drive forcorona test across the state.
Beginning from health workers to vegetable vendors andpeople working in small eateries, all will undergo the coronatests and everybody should cooperate with the administrationby staying indoors, he said. If majority of the people testnegative, then only the state will have reasons to be happyand celebrate.
The Development Commissioner said that the COVID-19testing capacity in the state has increased substantially upto 1,200-1,300 tests per day now from just 300 tests daily twodays ago. This testing capacity will further increase in daysto come, he said.
Meanwhile, Director, Public Health, Ajit Kumar Mohantytold reporters that the state has already started random testsin 21 districts, which have not been affected by the virus. Ofthe states 30 districts, COVID-19 positive cases have beenreported from only nine districts.
Mohanty said one person in every 10,000 population ineach district will be tested. The objective is to trace coronapatients in these districts, if any.
Odishas Health minister N K Das said: "We hope toimplement a pool test for COVID-19 after getting nod from theICMR. This will expand current screening capacity anddetection of virus in the community."
State governments COVID-19 spokesperson SubrotoBagchi said there was no room for complacency at the presentsituation though the rate of COVID-19 positivity remained atlow in the state.
Odisha, which has set "zero transmission" target, hasso far reported 60 positive cases while 19 persons haverecovered and one person died of the COVID-19.
The Ministry of Home Affairs identified OdishasKhurda among the COVID-19 hotspot districts in the countrywith large outbreaks (46 cases) while Bhadrak is among hotspot(3 cases) districts with clusters.
Similarly, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Kalahandi,Kendrapara, Puri and Sundergarh are among non-hotspotsdistricts reporting cases.
Meanwhile, the state's Health and Family Welfaredepartment on Thursday issued advisory on the usage of COVID-19 medicines like Hydroxychloroquine and asked people not touse the drugs without prescription.
Hydroxychloroquine is prescribed only for Asymptomatichealthcare workers and household contacts and laboratoryconfirmed cases, it said. AAM SKNRG RG