Covid: Odisha authorities makes RT-PCR obligatory for international returnees amid Omicron worry

By Express News Service

BHUBANESWAR :  With the Centre swinging into motion after the WHO termed the brand new Covid variant Omicron (B.1.1.529) as a ‘variant of concern’, the Odisha authorities on Saturday made RT-PCR check of all international returnees obligatory.

The Health and Family Welfare division has directed all collectors to undertake stringent monitoring of all worldwide travellers particularly these from danger nations like Botswana, South Africa and Hong Kong the place the variant has already been detected.

Districts, municipal firms and medical schools have been requested to ship RT-PCR constructive samples to designated genome sequencing laboratory. The samples, particularly from cluster or excessive danger/suspected circumstances shall be sequenced well timed and meticulously to make sure that no new variant slips by means of. 

Conducting a evaluation of the Covid state of affairs, Additional Chief Secretary of Health RK Sharma requested officers to maintain a tab on all international returnees and intensify surveillance on faculties, schools, hostels and different congregations discouraging anybody with even mildest of signs from attending lessons.

Sharma additionally requested officers to conduct random testing at academic establishments, hostels and implement Covid applicable behaviour in in faculties, schools, public locations and public transport. Meanwhile, the State recorded 264 new circumstances together with 41 from the 0-18 years age group, within the final 24 hours taking the tally to 10,48,492. As many as 219 circumstances have been reported on Thursday.  

The highlight is again on youngsters following the loss of life of two minors among the many three fatalities in a day. The minors who died of the illness included a three-month-old lady from Balangir and a 16-year-old boy from Kalahandi. Director of Public Health Dr Niranjan Mishra mentioned the districts have been instructed that those that check constructive for the virus  shall be remoted and their samples despatched to Institute of Life Sciences (ILS) for genome sequencing.