Bhubaneswar: The State Government has decided to increase the COVID-19 testing capacity to 3,000 per day by the end of April. Currently, the State is conducting over 2,000 tests daily.
Following an inter-Ministerial meeting held via videoconference on Thursday, Panchayati Raj Minister Pratap Jena said the State would conduct 3,000 COVID-19 tests per day by the end of this month. New testing labs would be set up at four medical college hospitals in Balangir, Baleswar, Baripada and Koraput and at the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), Bhubaneswar.
Besides, it has also been decided to increase the testing capacity at the Institute of Life Sciences (ILS), Bhubaneswar, to 450 per day, he said.
Regarding influx of people from other States during the lockdown, the Minister said borders have been sealed and vigil has been tightened. “Since the West Bengal border is too long, it is not possible to seal it completely. A gram panchayat-level committee headed by Sarpanch with five members will be formed to keep track on the people returning from other States. Panchayat Secretary, teachers and GRSs will be included in the committee. The committee will also look after the temporary isolation centres,” Jena informed.
This apart, online registration for return of people stranded in other States would begin on Friday, he added.
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