Omicron cases in Odisha: Know who needs hospitalization and what experts say about it

Bhubaneswar: The COVID cases in Odisha continue to rise each day. As many as 10,368 positive cases were detected in the last 24 hours. This was informed by the Information and Public Relations (I&PR) Department. The cumulative test of the State now stands at 26916297 while the positive cases are 1177462. With today’s 10,368 new cases, Odisha has now 88346 active cases.

This apart, the Omicron tally in Odisha rose to 347 with 145 new cases found yesterday. In such a situation, we must know who needs hospitalization and what experts say about it.

“We cannot rule out that the Delta variant of COVID-19 has fully vanished from Odisha. There are patients who are undergoing treatment with symptoms of Delta variant,” said Prof Dr. Jyoti Patnaik, Pulmonologist of S.C.B. Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, while addressing during Odisha government’s daily press briefing on the COVID situation this evening.

“Omicron Covid variant mostly infects the throat than the lungs. As the virus evolves so also the symptoms change. We can find the symptoms of long covid only after 3 to 8 weeks after infection. The patients get well but some weeks later again they develop the COVID symptoms. It is too early to say about the symptoms of long Covid,” she said.

She further said that there is no vaccine that can give you cent per cent successful results. It all depends on the immunity of an individual. The best measures to stay away from the virus are to wear masks, maintain social distancing, use sanitizers and follow the COVID guideline.

“People who have COVID symptoms should remain in isolation for their and others’ safety. The persons who have respiratory rate above 24 and oxygen saturation is below 90 only need hospitalization while others who have mild symptoms can get treatment at home,” Dr. Jyoti Patnaik said adding that people who do not need hospitalization should avoid doing different tests even if they have mild symptoms.