Even though Odisha is reporting 10,000 to 11,000 Covid infections daily, the hospitalisation rate and requirement of oxygen for patients are comparatively less during the ongoing third wave of the pandemic, said Odisha Health Services Director Bijay Mohapatra on Tuesday.
Speaking to the media, Mohapatra said, “At present, general bed occupancy is 9%, ICU 15%, ventilator 5-6%, while paediatrics admission is very less. However, it is difficult to predict now if Covid-19 cases will rise or drop in the near future.” The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said there is no problem in capping home isolation period to five days, considering several aspects. However, we need to stay in home isolation for seven days at least, the top health official said.
Asked about the vaccination for the 12-14 age group, he said, “We have not received any guidelines from the Central government so far. We will launch the inoculation drive for the age group once we get a go-ahead from the Centre.” Mohapatra also urged the people not to consume antibiotics for common flu, rather consult doctors before taking any medicine.
In the current wave, some states are witnessing abnormally high Test Positivity Rates (TPR) – an indication of the number of people infected for every hundred tests. In neighbouring state West Bengal’s Kolkata, the Test Positivity Rate had shot up to an alarming 53 percent at its peak. In Odisha, the figure is currently pegged at around 15 percent.
Notably, Odisha on Tuesday reported 11,086 new Covid-19 cases with Khordha district alone accounting for over 30% of the fresh positives. The new cases have pushed the Covid-19 positive tally to 11,55,487. Meanwhile, with 5,965 fresh recoveries, the cumulative recovered cases now stand at 10,66,032.