Jharsuguda: Odisha is fully prepared to tackle a possible third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, informed Health & Family Welfare (H&FW) Minister Naba Kisore Das.
Briefing reporters here after a review of the Covid-19 situation in the State, Das said that as on date a total of 1179 hospital beds are available in the State for treatment of children.
Out of that 937 are general beds, 242 ICU beds, 110 beds with ventilator support, Das added.
Similarly, as on date, 5311 general beds, 1,374 ICU beds, and 624 beds with ventilator support are available for adults, the H&FW Minister informed adding the State has sufficient oxygen cylinders.
The Minister said that District Collectors and Municipal Commissioners have been asked to maintain a close watch over the situation and if the need so arises more beds can be added.
Moreover, the State has sufficient stock of the 8 drugs prescribed for treatment of Covid patients as per Central government guidelines, the Minister said adding it was revealed during a review of the Odisha State Medical Corporation Limited (OSMCL).
He said the State has a stock of 4,000 units of anti-body cocktail and the department has been asked to double the stock.
While stating that since the Central government has not defined any specific line of treatment for those with Omicron variant infection, Das said that he has asked the Experts Committee to specify the line of treatment Omicron infectees.
Further, the Minister said that he has asked his department to examine whether genomic sequencing of samples can be done anywhere else apart from ILS.
