COVID-19 Infection in Odisha

>>COVID-19 Infection in Odisha

COVID-19 Infection in Odisha

By Swati Sapna|2020-08-03T21:28:19+05:30June 15th, 2020|Categories: Descriptive Epidemiology|Tags: |

More than a billion Indians stand at the cliff of a massive surge in cases of Covid-19. The Covid-19 transmission had a staggered course in India with 1397 cases reported between Jan 31, and April 1, 2020. The positive cases surged to 5194 as of April 8, 2020. However, the spread of novel coronavirus in India has accelerated in the past few days with new cases and fatalities being reported every day. After the first confirmed positive case being reported on January 30, 2020 in Kerala, the pandemic has expanded its footprints to every corner of the country, affecting more than 3 lakh people.

First case and fatality

Odisha reported its first positive case of Covid-19 infection on March 16, 2020. The 31-year-old man who has been infected with the virus had travelled to Italy and has now been admitted to Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar. On his return he was placed in quarantine in New Delhi but showed no symptoms and then arrived in Bhubaneswar by train on March 12, 2020.

On April 6, 2020 the first COVID-19 fatality was recorded with the death of a 72-year-old who was admitted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar with complaints of respiratory distress.

Current scenario

As of June 22 2020, total reported cases stand at 5160. The count of recovered cases is 3720 and total fatalities is 14. Since the first case being reported, there has been a spike in the rate of total cases detected. Total number of tests conducted is 219774.

 

As per the data available from April 6, 2020; the share of men testing positive for Covid-19 in India is significantly higher at 76 per cent compared to other countries. Data from seven states in India which provide gender-wise split shows that the trend continues in June, although with a narrowed down difference.

Odisha reported 304 new cases of Covid-19, including two casualties and 186 recoveries on June 22, 2020. As per health department’s reports, over 90 per cent of the cases are asymptomatic. On June 13, 2020 Odisha installed the Cobas 6800 machine, the second such machine in India, to ramp up the existing testing capacity of 400 to more than 1000 samples per day using the PCR method. With this increased testing, the authorities aim to bring even asymptomatic cases into the ambit of testing.

Foreseeing the huge migrant influx back home after lockdown ends, the state has sought two lakh testing kits, including the rapid testing kits. The antibody testing mechanism with 80-90 per cent accuracy aim to reduce the load on the Government to screen and quarantine people.

Implementation of WHO guidelines

Odisha is strictly abiding by the WHO guidelines on Covid-19 by advising people to protect against the virus’s spread with simple actions like washing their hands and covering their mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing. Tests are being done widely and people are quarantined whenever required. Several other directives are issued such as:

  • All hotels directed to maintain a social distance of 2 metres among guests in their in-house restaurants.
  • All high-end salons, beauty parlour, spa, etc. must stay closed until further orders. Entry into museums, library, theatres to be stopped.
  • All cultural events are to be postponed.
  • Psycho-social counseling in camps and medical services through mobile health units to be extended in a few districts.

Key policies/advisory recommendations

Odisha is the first state in the country to have taken the extreme step of lockdown in nearly 40 per cent of its area, even before the nationwide lockdown was announced on March 25, 2020. Anticipating the virus threat due to the huge influx of professionals and students returning from other countries, Odisha initiated a set of steps to sensitise, sanitise and quarantine passengers arriving from foreign countries. Table below presents the timeline of policies and advisories till date.

Reopening strategies

Based on the risk profiling of the districts into Red (Hotspot), Orange and Green zones on May 4, 2020, the lockdown was eased with several relaxations in all zones as per Ministry of Home Affair’s guidelines. A large number of economic activities have started across the country after a hiatus of over two months, however, Odisha is one of the few states which continues to tread lightly.

Just a day before the first phase of Unlock 1.0, the Odisha government released a statement reiterating its decision to keep the religious places and shopping malls closed till the end of June. However, the restaurants and hotels in Odisha will be permitted for home delivery and take away of food.

Specific policies and strategies

  • An incentive of Rs 15,000 for registration and home isolation.
  • Location to be tracked during home isolation and mandated number of calls to be made everyday to keep a close watch and give appropriate medical guidance.
  • In order to ensure uninterrupted education, Odisha has introduced an alternative learning and mentorship programme for around 6 Lakh SC/ST students with special mentors for students without internet access.
  • District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) team visited more than 813 Temporary Medical Centres/Camps (TMCs) and counselled 39,123 migrants on anxiety, depression, panic disorder and substance abuse cases.

References:

Health.odisha.gov.in. 2020. Health Department. [online] Available at: https://health.odisha.gov.in/district-details.html [Accessed 13 June 2020].

Hindustan Times. 2020. New Machine To Help Odisha In Race Against Time To Rule Out Community Transmissions. [online] Available at: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/new-machine-to-help-odisha-in-race-against-time-to-rule-out-community-transmissions/story CLZxPbSXPpOUg6wSceBeON.html  [Accessed 13 June 2020].

Investindia.gov.in. 2020. Government Advisories & Notifications | Invest India. [online] Available at:  https://www.investindia.gov.in/governmentadvisory?field_type_of_policy_value=State&field_state_target_id=467 [Accessed 22 June 2020].

Joshi, A., 2020. Dashboard – India. [online] SMAART RapidTracker: A Global Policy Informatics Tool to Track COVID-19 Outbreak (Corona Virus Disease Outbreak). Available at: //www.smaartrapidtracker.org/dashboard-india/ [Accessed 22 June 2020].

Suffian, 2020. Odisha Reports First Positive Coronavirus Case, Man Returned From Italy. [online] India Today. Available at: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/odisha-coronavirus-positive-case-1655901-2020-03-16 [Accessed 12 June 2020].

Timesnownews.com. 2020. As Unlocking Begins In India, Odisha Remains Coy On Reopening Activities Amid COVID-19 Surge. [online] Available at: https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/as-unlocking-begins-in-india-odisha-remains-coy-on-reopening-activities-amid-covid-19-surge/602990 [Accessed 20 June 2020].

The Hindu. 2020. First COVID-19 Death In Odisha. [online] Available at: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/first-covid-19-death-in-odisha/article31284679.ece [Accessed 22 June 2020].