News

Odisha to conduct RT-PCR tests of children admitting to the hospital

Representational image

BHUBANESWAR: The Government of Odisha decided on Wednesday, August 11,  that it will conduct RT-PCR tests of children who are coming to medical institutions for treatment. The decision was made to understand and analyze the extent of COVID-19 infections before the third wave hits. 

Suresh Mohapatra, Chief Secretary, Government of Odisha, will be heading the task force on paediatric COVID-19 care. He informed that the children being admitted will be compulsorily tested for the virus. To enforce the decision, a district-level task force will be formed that will constitute district wing officers, senior paediatric specialists, and anaesthesia specialists. 

The Director of Public Health has been asked to plan out a strategy that will ensure the implementation of this decision and monitor its activity regularly. A health official explained that COVID-19 testing will give an estimate to officials on the level of COVID-19 spread in the age group. All children being admitted to the hospitals will be tested for the virus, regardless of their symptoms. 

According to official data, 1.4 crore people in Odisha are aged below 18 years and hence have not been vaccinated. Moreover, in the latest serosurvey by the ICMR in three districts of the state, 55 per cent of people between the age group of 10-17 years have developed antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. 

Team Urban Update

Recent Posts

Gadkari: EV prices to match petrol, diesel cars in two years

Representative Image NEW DELHI: Nitin Gadkari, Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Government of India,…

3 months ago

14 lakh homes built in Gujarat under PMAY scheme

Representative Image GANDHINAGAR, Gujarat: Gujarat has reached a significant milestone in the construction of homes…

3 months ago

MBMC launches ‘Central School Control Room’ for students’ safety

Representative Image THANE, Maharashtra: The Mira Bhayander Municipal Corporation (MBMC) in Maharashtra has established a…

3 months ago

Delhi govt extends ban on sale, production of firecrackers till Jan 2025

Representative Image NEW DELHI: With the aim to tackle the increasing air pollution level in…

3 months ago

UPSIDA takes over maintenance of 34 industrial areas from ULBs

Representative Image LUCKNOW, Uttar Pradesh: The Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Authority (UPSIDA) has come…

3 months ago

Delhi Jal Board to team up with WATCO for 24/7 water supply

Representative Image NEW DELHI: The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) plans to collaborate with the Water…

3 months ago