Bhubaneswar: Amid the emergence of the new COVID-19 variant Omicron, which has sparked panic globally, Odisha government on Sunday directed the Collectors and concerned officials of every district to stay alert for the possible third wave of the pandemic.
Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra held a high-level meeting in this regard and took stock of the situation. District Collectors, Chief District Medical Officers (CDMO) and Superintendents of Police (SPs) attended the meeting through video conference.
“Schools, colleges and business establishments have reopened in the State. Besides, rail, road and air transport services also have started. Therefore, we need to stay alert and careful to avoid the possible third wave of Coronavirus,” said the Chief Secretary during the meeting adding that the new COVID-19 variant Omicron has emerged in some countries and it is likely to spread very seedily. Therefore, full doze vaccination of people above 18-year-old citizens would help to resist the virus.
He also asked the officials to strictly enforce the COVID guidelines like wearing of masks, maintaining social distance and usage of sanitizers and take action and impose fines against the violators.
The Chief Secretary also directed the concerned officials to give priority for Genomic sequencing during the COVID test and keep a close watch on people coming from abroad.
Ms Kalinga