Covid-19: Odisha reports third death, positive cases rise to 352
Image used for representational purpose only
BHUBANESWAR: Fifty-eight more tested positive for coronavirus and another person died in Odisha, the health department updated on its Covid-19 dashboard on Sunday. With this, the total number of positive cases in the state climbed to 352 while the number of deaths rose to three.
Ganjam district reported the highest 29 of the new cases and the death, all returned from Surat. The number of positive cases in Ganjam rose to 118, mostly Surat returnees. Angul district joined the list of the affected district by reporting 13 positive cases while Balasore saw 15 more persons testing positive.
Earlier, allaying apprehension in the wake of spurt in the number of cases—more than 150 in three days—the government said the increase was expected in view of the return of state natives from some of the worst affected states.
A government statement on Saturday had said the number of Corona positive persons is likely to increase because of persons coming from most Corona affected states in the country such as West Bengal, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
“However, this is not a cause of worry because all are in quarantine centres. The government and panchayat representative members are maintaining strict vigil along with community support to ensure that all returnees strictly undergo the mandatory quarantine of 28 days,” the statement said.
Amid rising apprehension regarding the return of migrants, the government said only 25 to 30% of people who have gone to earn their livelihood want to return to Odisha. A majority still want to stay back as the industries/other business activities have commenced and they are able to earn their source of livelihood.
“The 25 to 30% Odias want to come back because of emotional distress, fear of Corona, wanting to be near their own people and economic uncertainty. Legally and morality the state is bound to accept them,” the government statement said. Total 52,000 people have returned to the state since May 3 including 6300 on Saturday. According to government estimates, around 10 to 12 lakh Odisha natives work outside the state.
In view of the spurt in the number of positive cases in Ganjam, V K Pandian, secretary to Chief Minister (5T), interacted with sarpanches of the district explained about their leadership role in managing quarantine centres.
Pandian said since all the positives in Ganjam are of returnees placed in quarantine centres, there is no reason to panic. “Strict maintenance of quarantine centres will make the difference between success or failure in our fight against corona. Sarpanches have a major role in that and realizing this Government has vested powers of collector,” he said.
The government said the positive cases in Odisha include seven people who returned from abroad, 41 who returned from Nizamuddin, 113 from West Bengal and Jharkhand while more than 100 returned from Surat.