Rise in capital Bhubaneswar’s active cases triggers alarm bells

BHUBANESWAR: The number of active Covid cases in the capital city is rising steadily through there is a dip in rest of the state. The worrisome trend emerged in the past one week with active cases soaring from 1,192 on July 15 to 1,729 on Thursday.
The city has been adding 76 cases daily. A week ago, the active cases were almost stagnant with new cases and recoveries going hand-in-hand.
On Friday, Khurda district’s Covid fatalities crossed 1,000 (1003) out of which Bhubaneswar recorded 711 deaths as the government confirmed 69 deaths across the state and 26 from Khurda after the audit by a committee. The district accounts for 20% of the state’s cumulative deaths of 5,377 patients so far.
While some health experts have been blaming poor enforcement and non-compliance of Covid norms by people, others feel Covid fatigue, months of restrictions hitting economy and density of population in the capital have resulted in a steady increase in cases.
“I think we need to have a team of experts comprising epidemiologist, virologist and experts from public health to guide the city authorities in tackling the Covid crisis. Virus spread shouldn’t continue for long otherwise there will be more mutant strains thus deepening the crisis,” said Ajay Parida, director, Institute of Life Sciences (ILS).
Most of the ground realities match with what the experts feel. “You gave us vaccine. You asked us to stay indoors for two months and when it opened partially, you are blaming us that we are not wearing mask. We have 15 people working in the hotel. We are having only takeaways. Nobody is wearing mask but all are vaccinated. Tell us, in heat and sweat who would like to wear a mask 24X7,” said owner of a big hotel in the city’s Nayapalli area.
Sanjay Kumar Singh, commissioner, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), said despite opening all facilities and life limping back to normal, the city doesn’t have daily cases in that proportion. “We have taken the daily testing number beyond 7,000. People need to restrain themselves. Unless they become responsible, it is very difficult to bring the infection down,” he said.