BHUBANESWAR: The state government on Monday confirmed 52 Covid deaths, the highest in a day so far, even as the new infections remained below 3,000 (2,803) for the third consecutive day. Odisha’s overall Covid toll touched 4,248 with Khurda contributing the maximum fatalities (691).
After coming under judicial scrutiny, the government has expedited the process of conducting the audit of the Covid deaths. Monday’s fatality count of more than 50 shows that the pending deaths will be audited and made public in a month.
Meanwhile, the test positivity rate (TPR) dipped further to 3.75% with the state testing 74,740 samples. Though Khurda and Cuttack reported more number of cases than the other districts, they are seeing a gradual fall in infections. Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapada remain areas of concern as they have been witnessing an unusual rise in the Covid cases.
“A spike in the cases at a time when most districts are seeing a sharp fall is a matter of worry. We will visit Jagatsinghpur and Khurda as well on Tuesday to assess the situation there following which we will be able to suggest preventive measures,” DR Shibani Dutta from the All India Institute of Hygiene and Public Health, who is heading the central team, said. Significantly, Nayagarh (Khurda’s neighbour) has been showing a high TPR of more than seven per cent though its daily count is much less compared to the coastal districts. Khurda’s TPR went below five per cent for the first time on Monday.
The state’s cumulative Covid count rose to 9,24,699 with the addition of around 24,000 cases in eight days, 3000 daily, on an average. “We need to ramp up testing in the districts with high positivity. People with symptoms should come forward to get themselves tested. The state is well on the path to control the infection spread as testing and vaccination are being undertaken simultaneously. People should not become complacent owing to a fall in TPR and drop their guards. They should continue to wear proper masks, maintain physical distance and hygiene,” Ajay Parida, director, Institute of Life Sciences, said.
