BHUBANESWAR: The state on Sunday reported 3,664 fresh Covid-19 cases, the highest single-day infection count this year, taking the total number of active cases to more than 20,000. This is the third day in a row that the state has witnessed more than 3,000 cases. Two more patients died of Covid.
Reiterating his appeal to people to wear masks to fight Covid, chief minister Naveen Patnaik said, “Once again corona has emerged as a crisis before us. Any small negligence can be dangerous to society as a whole.” Odisha had last recorded more than 3,615 cases in a single day on September 30 last year. As many as 34,450 samples were sent for testing on Saturday, out of which the results of 3,664 returned positive. This has taken the state’s positivity rate to 3.84%. Of the newly detected cases, altogether 2,127 were from quarantine centres while 1,537 were from among the local contacts. Among the districts, Khurda topped the list with 704 cases followed by Sundargarh (340) and Kalahandi (324). Ten districts reported more than 100 cases, including 221 from Nuapada, 210 from Bargarh, 199 from Sambalpur, 198 from Cuttack, 183 from Jharsuguda, 143 from Puri and 119 from Mayurbhanj. This has increased the Covid-19 tally in the state to 3,68,258, while the number of active cases has touched 21,436. As many as 3,68,258 patients have recovered from the disease so far.
“The two who lost their lives to Covid-19 on Sunday were a 75-year-old woman from Bargarh and a 32-year-old woman from Sundargarh,” the health and family welfare department said. The latest deaths have increased the Covid toll in the state to 1,944. The latest deaths have increased the Covid toll in the state to 1,944.
“Covid-19 is spreading much faster than expected. In such a situation, following the safety rules is the only option that we have. It’s not just important to wear a mask, but also ensuring that we do so properly. This is, apart of course, from following the social distancing norm and washing hands frequently. We must not underestimate the virus and fight with better preparedness,” Dr Jayant Panda, technical advisor to the health and family welfare department, said.