Odisha Reports 38 COVID-19 Cases as Preventive Measures Intensify Amid National Surge

Bhubaneswar: As India witnesses a fresh uptick in COVID-19 infections, Odisha has recorded 38 positive cases from 755 samples tested, health authorities confirmed on Friday. While nine patients have already recovered, the remaining individuals are currently under home isolation and are reported to be in stable condition.

The state government has stepped up its response in line with national directives, following a high-level virtual review meeting convened by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on June 3. The meeting, chaired by Director General of Health Services (DGHS) Dr. Sunita Sharma, brought together representatives from state health departments, ICMR institutions, surveillance units, and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). Odisha’s health officials participated to review preparedness and synchronize efforts with the Centre.

Nationally, active COVID-19 cases stood at 4,302 as of June 4, reflecting a single-day increase of 864 cases. Although the majority of infections remain mild and manageable at home, the country has reported 44 deaths since January 1, 2025—primarily among individuals with comorbidities.

In response, the central government has directed all states to ensure readiness of healthcare facilities, including the availability of oxygen supply systems, isolation wards, ventilators, and essential medications. Odisha has already initiated mock drills to evaluate the performance of its oxygen infrastructure, such as Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) plants and Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) tanks. Facility-level preparedness exercises were conducted across the state on June 4 and 5.

Surveillance measures have also been intensified. State and district-level Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) units are actively monitoring Influenza Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases. As per national protocol, all hospitalized SARI patients and a 5% sample of ILI cases are being tested for COVID-19. Positive cases are being sent for genome sequencing through the ICMR-VRDL network to detect any emerging variants.

The Health Department has urged the public to remain vigilant and follow standard precautions such as frequent handwashing, proper cough etiquette, and avoiding crowded places—particularly for those experiencing respiratory symptoms. People with acute illness have been advised to self-monitor and seek prompt medical attention if symptoms worsen.