Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today emphasised on scaling up coronavirus testing facilities in the State. During a review meeting with the COVID-19 Team, Naveen directed officials to expedite the process of developing testing facilities at MKCG Berhampur and VIMSAR Burla.
As of now, testing facilities are available at RMRC Bhubaneswar, AIIMS Bhubaneswar and SCB MCH Cuttac. All these facilities have limited testing capacities. In order to further improve testing capacity, there should be provisions for at least 1,000 tests per day by April 10, the CM observed.
Naveen reviewed the management of COVID-19 in the State with Health and Family Welfare Minister Naba Kisore Das, Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy and senior officials through video conference from his residence. Naveen appreciated the efforts taken up by ‘Team Odisha COVID-19’ towards containing the spread of the disease.
To make the medical team appropriately equipped for fighting the Covid menace effectively, Naveen stressed on the need for availability of sufficient number of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and other equipment for medical professionals.
The Chief Minister also reviewed the opening of new COVID-19 hospitals in different parts of the State and asked officials to develop capacity for at least 3,000 beds by April 15, 2020.
Chief Advisor to CMO, R Balakrishnan, Development Commissioner Suresh Chandra Mahapatra, DG Police Abhay and senior officials attended the meeting on over video conferencing.
