Omicron variant: 380 people return to Odisha from infected countries, Vaccination drive ramped up

Bhubaneswar: The Director of Public Health Niranjan Mishra has informed that as many as 380 people have returned to Odisha from countries infected with Omicron variant of Covid.

Reportedly by November 29, around 156 people have arrived in Odisha while on November 28 as many as 224 people returned from the countries infected with Omicron variant of Covid. Even though all of the returnees have been directed to carry Covid negative certificates while travelling, still then they have been advised to undergo quarantine for a period of seven days.

A list of foreign returnees has been prepared and given to all the district administration, added Niranjan Mishra.

On the other hand, the Director of Health and Family Welfare (H&FW) Bijay Panigrahi said that the vaccination drive in Odisha is expected to be completed by end of December. Mainly the focus is being given upon the rural areas of the State.

The inoculation drive has been ramped up as door to door vaccination are being carried out through the mobile van.

The ASHA workers in all the villages have been given the responsibility to ensure 100% percent vaccination of the people. All those who have not yet taken the dose of Covid vaccine are requested to get vaccinated soon, said Bijay Panigrahi.

Currently, 4,38,21,708 doses of vaccine have been given in the State. Among the total number, 2,79,06,466 people, which is 86%, have been vaccinated with the first dose of Covid vaccine. Similarly, 1,59,15,242 people, which is 49 per cent, have been inoculated with the second dose of Covid vaccine.

It is to be noted that the number of vaccinated pregnant women is 3,64,059. Around 46 lakh beneficiaries have not yet received the first dose while 31 lakh people have not been vaccinated against the second dose.

Bijay Panigrahi has also said that all those who are yet to receive the vaccination should take the Covid jabs before getting infected with the new Omicron variant.