Berhampur, Jul 14: With COVID-19 cases being reported in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, the Odisha government has stepped up precautionary measures in Ganjam district, which shares its border with the state.

To prevent the spread of the virus into Ganjam, the district administration has issued a detailed advisory to strengthen surveillance and preparedness. The guidelines have been issued by the Chief District Medical and Public Health Officer (CDM&PHO) to City Hospital, all sub-divisional hospitals, Community Health Centres (CHCs), and Primary Health Centres (PHCs) across the district.

-Under the new directives, COVID-19 testing has been made mandatory for all patients suffering from Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI). Additionally, at least 5 per cent of patients showing influenza-like illness (ILI) symptoms will undergo random COVID-19 testing to monitor the situation.

-The health department has also directed all government healthcare facilities to keep isolation wards, oxygen-supported beds, and essential medicines ready to handle any possible rise in cases.

-Hospitals have been instructed to ensure that oxygen plants, oxygen concentrators, and oxygen cylinders remain fully operational at all times.

-Healthcare workers have been asked to closely monitor their respective areas for any unusual increase in fever or respiratory illness and report suspected cases without delay.

-The advisory also instructs hospitals to maintain adequate stocks of essential medicines, including ORS, paracetamol, zinc, Vitamin A, Vitamin B2, stimulants, azithromycin tablets, and other necessary drugs to ensure prompt treatment if required.

The precautionary measures come as Odisha remains vigilant against the possibility of fresh COVID-19 infections spreading from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.