Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s sharp decline in single day Covid-19 cases Thursday is ascribed to severe cyclone ‘Yaas’. The state Thursday reported 6,736 new Covid-19 cases.
Health Services Director Bijay Mohapatra Thursday said Covid testing has come down in the state since last two-three days in view of cyclone ‘Yaas’, which made landfall Between Dhamra in Bhadrak district and Bahanaga in Balasore Wednesday morning. The usual positive rate too declined from 20 per cent to 14 per cent.
Notably, the state government has suspended Covid-19 testing, vaccination and door-to-door survey in Balasore, Bhadrak and Mayurbhanj districts from May 25 to 27. These apart, many district administrations had suspended all Covid related activities in view of the impending cyclone.
In cyclone affected districts, activities like testing, vaccination and door-to-door survey will resume after the situation improves and people start returning to their houses, informed Mohapatra.
Regarding the rise in fatalities, he said 79-80 per cent patients were in ICUs and 50 per cent in ventilators till Wednesday. If the number of critical cases increases, the number of fatalities will also go up, he added.
While informing about the chances of lockdown extension, he said the state government after conferring with experts in other states will take a call in this regard. Regarding the result of lockdown, he said the result will be visible after four to six weeks’ time.
“Covid-19 infrastructure has not been damaged in the cyclone-affected areas,” he further informed.
PNN
