State government asks collectors to monitor health of people returning from cyclone shelters

Worried over the possibility of a fresh spread of Covid-19 following Yaas, Odisha government on Thursday asked collectors of 12 districts to closely monitor symptoms among persons returning from cyclone shelters and those engaged in relief and restoration works.

Collectors of Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Puri, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Angul and Khurda have been asked to conduct Covid test of people housed in cyclone shelters and government buildings if they show symptoms.

Additional Chief Secretary of Health PK Mohapatra said people shifted to cyclone shelters had stayed there in close quarters while the rescue personnel and people engaged in post cyclone restoration activities had also worked in close proximity to others.

“The families in the cyclone shelters are now returning to their homes. The restoration works will also be completed soon. It is important that the persons concerned should be closely monitored for Covid symptoms over the coming weeks.

In case of any symptoms, they should be immediately isolated and tested on priority basis,” he said. The Health department has asked the collectors to sensitise the house-to-house survey teams to be particularly vigilant in surveillance of cyclone shelter-returned families and the field restoration team members.