Odisha Police gets special powers for effective enforcement of Coronavirus lockdown

As entire nation is grappling with Coronavirus pandemic, Odisha government has granted special powers to state police for effective enforcement of lockdown in wake of crisis. Odisha government has decided to empower police officers to take necessary action against violators. Meanwhile, State Home Department has authorised Officers-In-Charge of various police stations to file complaints without any hesitation in courts under Section 51 to 60 of Disaster Manment Act, 2005 and Section 188 of Indian Penal Code (IPC).

READ | Coronavirus: Odisha To Conduct 5,000 Tests In Next 7 Days In Bhubaneswar

Odisha fights a grim battle against Coronavirus

In a significant improvement in battle against COVID-19 pandemic, Odisha's controlling measures have been effective in a way that state has t recorded any COVID-19 positive case in past 72 hours. A total of 1,024 samples were tested on April 17 (till midnight).  last five COVID-19 positive cases were detected on April 14.

READ | Amid Slim Pickings & Starvation, Odisha Gives A Ray Of Hope To Strays Hit By Lockdown

In an attempt to scale up testing, Odisha government will soon start ‘pool testing’ of samples of suspected Coronavirus cases. Central government has given a d to proposal for pool testing and soon infrastructure at Burla medical will be upgraded with necessary equipment. state government of Friday asked all district collectors to ensure safety of women and girls in shelter camps that are housing thousands of migrant workers stranded due to lockdown.

READ | 2 More Recover From COVID-19 In Bhubaneswar, Total 21 Cured In Odisha

As of April 17,  number of COVID-19 positive cases in state stands at 60, of which 21 have been recovered including two recoveries on Friday from state capital, reducing  number of active cases to 38. state has reported on one death so far due to Coronavirus.