Odisha on alert after two COVID-19 deaths reported in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh
Following reports of fresh COVID-19 cases and deaths in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, Odisha has stepped up surveillance and testing as a precaution. Health officials say no positive cases have been detected in the state so far.
Odisha has stepped up its COVID-19 surveillance and preparedness after neighbouring Andhra Pradesh reported fresh coronavirus cases and a COVID-19-related death in Kadapa district. According to health officials, no positive COVID-19 cases have been detected in Odisha so far, but precautionary measures have been intensified to ensure any potential infections are detected and contained early.
The renewed alert comes after Andhra Pradesh reported several COVID-19 infections in recent weeks, prompting authorities there to strengthen surveillance, deploy rapid response teams and prepare hospitals with isolation facilities. According to reports, these developments have led Odisha's health department to increase monitoring, particularly due to the movement of people between the two neighbouring states.
According to reports, Odisha's Public Health Director, Rabindranath Mishra, said that COVID-19 surveillance is continuing across the state, with regular testing being carried out at healthcare facilities. He said that all test results have remained negative so far and added that there is no immediate cause for concern, while emphasising that the state remains on alert.
According to health officials, Odisha has not reported any active COVID-19 cases at present. However, authorities are continuing to closely monitor the situation following the rise in cases in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.
ANDHRA PRADESH REPORTS FRESH COVID-19 CASES
The alert in Odisha comes after Andhra Pradesh reported several fresh COVID-19 cases, particularly in Kadapa district. According to PTI, health authorities in the neighbouring state have stepped up surveillance, collected samples from people in affected areas, deployed rapid response teams and asked hospitals to keep isolation facilities ready as a precaution.
On July 9, a 46-year-old man from Kadapa died after testing positive for COVID-19. According to PTI, District Medical and Health Officer Dr Ravi Babu said the man had been admitted with severe breathlessness and cough after antibiotics failed to improve his condition. Officials also said he had a history of alcohol addiction.
According to health officials, the recent cases have prompted Andhra Pradesh to strengthen preparedness measures to detect and contain any further spread of the virus. Other media reports have also suggested that two COVID-related deaths have been reported in the state, further reinforcing the need for heightened surveillance and precautionary measures.
ODISHA STRENGTHENS TESTING AND SURVEILLANCE
According to health officials, Odisha has revived COVID-19 surveillance measures that had been scaled down after infections declined. Regular testing is being carried out, particularly among patients with symptoms of respiratory illness.
Officials said the state is also following earlier guidelines issued by the Union Health Ministry, which advised states to remain vigilant following a rise in COVID-19 cases.
Under these guidelines, health authorities have been instructed to:
- Test all patients admitted with Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) for COVID-19.
- Test at least 5% of Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) cases.
- Send positive SARI samples for whole genome sequencing through the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory network to identify circulating variants.
According to health experts, these measures help in the early detection of infections and the monitoring of emerging variants.
According to health officials, there is currently no reason for public concern despite the increased surveillance.
Officials said the enhanced monitoring is a precautionary measure to ensure the state remains prepared if the situation changes. They have advised people to maintain good hygiene, seek medical attention if they develop symptoms such as fever, cough or breathlessness, and follow public health advisories.
According to health officials, Odisha has not reported any confirmed active COVID-19 cases so far, but surveillance and monitoring will continue as neighbouring Andhra Pradesh deals with fresh infections.
Odisha has stepped up its COVID-19 surveillance and preparedness after neighbouring Andhra Pradesh reported fresh coronavirus cases and a COVID-19-related death in Kadapa district. According to health officials, no positive COVID-19 cases have been detected in Odisha so far, but precautionary measures have been intensified to ensure any potential infections are detected and contained early.
The renewed alert comes after Andhra Pradesh reported several COVID-19 infections in recent weeks, prompting authorities there to strengthen surveillance, deploy rapid response teams and prepare hospitals with isolation facilities. According to reports, these developments have led Odisha's health department to increase monitoring, particularly due to the movement of people between the two neighbouring states.
According to reports, Odisha's Public Health Director, Rabindranath Mishra, said that COVID-19 surveillance is continuing across the state, with regular testing being carried out at healthcare facilities. He said that all test results have remained negative so far and added that there is no immediate cause for concern, while emphasising that the state remains on alert.
According to health officials, Odisha has not reported any active COVID-19 cases at present. However, authorities are continuing to closely monitor the situation following the rise in cases in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.
ANDHRA PRADESH REPORTS FRESH COVID-19 CASES
The alert in Odisha comes after Andhra Pradesh reported several fresh COVID-19 cases, particularly in Kadapa district. According to PTI, health authorities in the neighbouring state have stepped up surveillance, collected samples from people in affected areas, deployed rapid response teams and asked hospitals to keep isolation facilities ready as a precaution.
On July 9, a 46-year-old man from Kadapa died after testing positive for COVID-19. According to PTI, District Medical and Health Officer Dr Ravi Babu said the man had been admitted with severe breathlessness and cough after antibiotics failed to improve his condition. Officials also said he had a history of alcohol addiction.
According to health officials, the recent cases have prompted Andhra Pradesh to strengthen preparedness measures to detect and contain any further spread of the virus. Other media reports have also suggested that two COVID-related deaths have been reported in the state, further reinforcing the need for heightened surveillance and precautionary measures.
ODISHA STRENGTHENS TESTING AND SURVEILLANCE
According to health officials, Odisha has revived COVID-19 surveillance measures that had been scaled down after infections declined. Regular testing is being carried out, particularly among patients with symptoms of respiratory illness.
Officials said the state is also following earlier guidelines issued by the Union Health Ministry, which advised states to remain vigilant following a rise in COVID-19 cases.
Under these guidelines, health authorities have been instructed to:
- Test all patients admitted with Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) for COVID-19.
- Test at least 5% of Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) cases.
- Send positive SARI samples for whole genome sequencing through the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory network to identify circulating variants.
According to health experts, these measures help in the early detection of infections and the monitoring of emerging variants.
According to health officials, there is currently no reason for public concern despite the increased surveillance.
Officials said the enhanced monitoring is a precautionary measure to ensure the state remains prepared if the situation changes. They have advised people to maintain good hygiene, seek medical attention if they develop symptoms such as fever, cough or breathlessness, and follow public health advisories.
According to health officials, Odisha has not reported any confirmed active COVID-19 cases so far, but surveillance and monitoring will continue as neighbouring Andhra Pradesh deals with fresh infections.
