If Having COVID Symptoms, Get Tested: Requests Odisha Health Dept

Bhubaneswar: With the surge in COVID-19 cases and identification of JN.1 sub-variant, Odisha Health Department urged people to get tested if they have symptoms similar to that of COVID.

According to Dr. Bijay Kumar Mohapatra, Director of Health Services, Odisha, if needed COVID testing centres will be increased in the state. Till now no guideline has been issued in Odisha regarding mandatory wearing of face masks.

Till now, no new COVID case has been confirmed in Odisha. But as per the directive of the Central Government Odisha remains alert, Dr Mohapatra added.

With the emergence of JN.1, a sub-variant of the BA 2.86 Omicron strain, the active COVID-19 cases have increased in several parts of the country. The WHO has marked it as ‘Variant of Interest’ as it is linked to the rise in COVID cases in the United States, Malaysia and Singapore.

According to the Union Health Ministry, the active COVID cases till December 22, 2023, in India were 2,997. The maximum number of positives came from Kerala.