COVID cases rising in Odisha: Medical colleges and hospitals put on alert, asked to increase testing

Bhubaneswar: Amid the increasing number of COVID cases in the State, the Odisha Health department has put all the Medical colleges and hospitals on alert and asked them to increase testing and surveillance.

Dr. Niranjan Mishra, the Director of Public Health has written letter in this regard to Directors of Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela Government Hospital, Deans and Principals of all Government Medical Colleges and all CDMs & PHOs.

Mishra has asked them to follow the following guidelines:

• ILI/SARI surveillance should increase and testing to be made available in every health institution, CHC and above and to be done as per ICMR guideline version 7.
• For those found positive, the home isolation protocol is to be strictly followed and necessary treatment support is provided.
• Ensure dedicated beds and oxygen supported beds for any admission and management as per the management protocol and there should not be any unnecessary referrals.
• The COVID management strategy for the COVID situation should be followed.
• Under no circumstances report should not come about the non-availability of testing and treatment facilities in the district and sub-district level.
• Coordinate and collaborate with district administration for increasing IEC/BCC for community awareness emphasizing on; the symptomatic, elderly and the vulnerable population should be adhered to the COVID-19 appropriate behaviour.
• Ensure adequate availability of test KIT, reagents drugs, and consumables to deal with the COVID situation in coordination with OSMCL, Odisha.
• There should be timely data every and reporting as per the said protocol.
• Training and capacity building of Health care providers and laboratory personnel.
• Keep an contingency plan ready to deal with any situation.

Also Read: OLA Cab Driver Who Was Abducted From Bhubaneswar Rescued From Jajapur District