Insight Bureau:  In the wake of a surge in COVID-19 cases in the State amid rising concern over Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik reviewed the COVID-19 situation and directed officials to prepare all COVID hospitals in the State fully ready within 10 days.

The Chief Minister gave clear instructions to officials to make the arrangement of ICU beds and to keep the entire health infrastructure ready to face the emerging situation.

CM Naveen Patnaik urged the people to religiously follow all necessary COVID protocols like wearing of masks and maintaining social distancing norms. He asked the officials to strengthen the monitoring system to prevent the spread of Covid with an objective of not to disrupt the livelihood of people.

The CM advised officials to attain the target of vaccinating all the children between 15-18 year-olds.

A total of 23.65 lakh children in Odisha are eligible for vaccination against Covid-19.