Bhubaneswar: The first COVID-19 case in the state capital has been confirmed. The Odisha Health and Family Welfare Department has said nothing to be panic and urged residents to remain calm and the patient is in stable condition. Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Department Aswathy S assured the public on Thursday that there is no immediate cause for concern. Currently, we have no formal advisory in place, but we are closely monitoring the situation. The available data suggests that the prevailing strain is mild, with low severity. There is no reason for alarm. The state health machinery is fully in control, she said.
Aswathy emphasized, “There is no need to panic. Also no official advisory has been issued by the Centre so far. We are maintaining strict surveillance. Once guidelines are issued by the Government of India, we will implement them accordingly. The patient who tested positive is recovering well. The new variant does not appear to pose increased health risks,” she added. Highlighting the importance of vigilance in public health management, the Commissioner noted that the current situation does not warrant drastic measures. There is no cluster outbreak or indication of rising transmission. The severity of the strain remains low and the situation has not escalated,” she explained. She also confirmed that health authorities would ramp up efforts only if further cases emerge or new directives are issued.
