Odisha govt rushes bureaucrats to three COVID 19-hit districts

Bhubaneswar, Apr 23 () Amid a sudden spurt inCOVID-19 cases in three districts of Odisha -- Bhadrak,Balasore and Jajpur -- the state government on Thursday rushedsenior bureaucrats to the affected areas to contain the spreadof the infectious disease, official sources said.

The general administration department of the state, inits order issued on Wednesday night, assigned excise secretaryS K Lohani to Bhadrak district, which has recently reported 11coronavirus-positive cases.

S K Vashishth, the special secretary of agricultureand farmers' empowerment department, has been asked to rush toBalasore, while former health secretary and now secretary togovernor P K Meherda told to visit Jajpur - both districtshaving reported eight cases each.

"The recent spike in COVID 19-positive cases in thethree districts of Jajpur, Bhadrak and Balasore is a cause ofconcern... Therefore three secretaries have been directed tomake an on-site visit and review COVID-19-related managementsystem," the order said.

The officers have also been told to communicate withhealth and family welfare department secretary N B Dhal beforeleaving for their destinations.

The number of coronavirus patients in the threedistricts have spiked to 27 from six, in matter of just 72hours, a senior official said.

Most of those affected were found to have links withWest Bengal, he said, noting that a survey has revealed that3,000 people from the neighbouring state had recently enteredthese three districts, the official said.

Earlier, the health department had sent experts frommedical colleges, directors of Health Service, Public Healthand Family Welfare, along with Rapid Response Teams (RRTs), tooversee containment measures in these districts, he added.

Meanwhile, police have tightened security along theBengal border, sealing more than 50 roads leading to theneighbouring state. This apart, the marine police has beendirected to ensure that no one enters Odisha via sea route, headded. AAMRMS RMS