Odisha
December 28, 2021

With steep rises of COVID cases, especially of Omicron variant throughout India, there is a possibility of India going into COVID third wave in the very near future. Odisha too has 8 active Omicron cases and there is also a great possibility that a third wave might hit the state very soon. Thereby, honorable Chief Minister of Odisha, Mr. Naveen Patnaik, in his recent meeting with the press calls for war footing action to be prepared for COVID third wave.
n a meeting on Monday, where he took stock of the state’s preparedness to deal with an Omicron-fuelled third wave, the CM issued a series of urgent directives to officials across departments, calling for the same level of readiness seen during the first and second waves. The state has so far reported eight Omicron cases but the CM cautioned that there could be a surge in cases in the coming days.

He directed the state Health department, health, and district authorities to step up the vaccination drive and reopen COVID facilities that were set up during the first and second waves but were closed after cases dropped. Hospitals should have adequate oxygen supplies, he said.
The CM also directed the Health Department to ensure adequate facilities to treat children.
Praising the state police for their work during the first and second waves, Patnaik directed them to launch drives to ensure people follow COVID protocols and take action against violators.