By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR/KENDRAPARA: With first COVID-19 postive case reported from Kendrapara, the number of COVID-19 infected cases in Odisha increased to 40 on Monday evening after a 32-year-old male from Kendrapara district tested positive for the deadly virus.
Official sources said the youth has a travel history from Dubai. He had returned from Dubai on March 24.This is the first case from Kendrapra district.At present samples are being tested at RMRC, AIIMS Bhubaneswar and SCB, Cuttack
Meanwhile,the Odisha government has asked the people of the State to cover their mouth and nose with mask or any other piece of cloth in at least two layers while venturing out of their houses.
The decision has been taken after it was found that masks are extremely useful in controlling and containment of spread of COVID-19 as seen from several global and national experiences.
In an order, Chief Secretary and Chairman of State Executive Committee Asit Tripahy said, “The general public is directed to cover their mouth and nose with any available form of mask while stepping out of house for any purpose. A handkerchief or any other piece of cloth in at least two layers can also be used for the purpose, until further orders.” The order will take effect from 7 am of April 9.
The order further asked the district and municipal authorities to ensure people use any form of masks/clothes such as handkerchiefs, bandanas, gamuchha and dupatta etc while stepping out of their houses and implement the directive strictly.
In case people use disposable single use masks, such masks shall be properly disposed of. Cloth masks should be cleaned with soap/ disinfectant and water and sun dried for at least 5 hours after every single use. Masks used by one person must not be used by any other person, the order said.
