Bhubaneswar, 11/1: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik reviewed the situation in the state this evening. On the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the third wave of COVID-19 was spreading across the country. Infections are also on the rise in Odisha. He encouraged ordinary people as well to take part in solving this great task: “One of the things you and other people can do is keep up the pressure … there are going to be some difficult decisions for government”. The Chief Minister urged the people to strictly abide by the Covid Act in this regard.
“Even though the hospitalization is still very low in the third wave, we have to be fully prepared for the future,” he said. Similarly, the Chief Minister advised to intensify the immunization of people who have not been vaccinated at all and who have not taken a second dose, even though the vaccination program in the state has been satisfactory. The Chief Minister also said that the vaccination of senior citizens and frontline fighters was very important and that it would be especially helpful in controlling the situation.
He encouraged ordinary people as well to take part in solving this great task: “One of the things you and other people can do is keep up the pressure … there are going to be some difficult decisions for government”. Similarly, the Chief Minister directed the state police to pay special attention to strict observance of the Covid law.
“Since most people living in the current wave are isolated from their homes, we need to strengthen the monitoring system and ensure that the Rapid Response Team and field staff keep in touch with patients in their homes on a regular basis,” he said.
Participating in the meeting, Chief Secretary Shri Suresh Chandra Mohapatra briefed the Chief Minister on the steps taken to control covidium infection at the district level. Mr. R.K., Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Health. Sharma gave a presentation on the situation in the state and the steps taken to address it. Despite the low level of hospitalization, more than a second wave of beds is available, and oxygen, ventilators, etc. are active. Commenting on the state’s performance in the field of vaccination, Mr. Sharma said that so far 91.8 per cent of the people in the state have been vaccinated with the first dose, while the second dose has been 68.4 per cent. Similarly, 30.7 percent of children between the ages of 15 and 18 have already been vaccinated. “Immediate action is being taken to complete the vaccination,” he said.
Bhubaneswar Metropolitan Corporation Cuttack Metropolitan Corporation’s two municipal commissions and the Sambalpur and Sundergarh district commissioners briefed them on the situation in their area.
The Director General of Police, Mr. Sunil Bansal, briefed the Chief Minister on the steps taken by the state police to strictly enforce the Kovid law.
Chief Minister’s Secretary (5T) Shri V.K. Pandian conducted the program.
Mr. P.K. of the Development Commission and the Special Relief Commission. Jenna and senior officials from various departments were present at the meeting.