By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, June 09, 2020: Odisha government is leaving no stone unturned to contain the spread of Covid-19 as much as possible, it has asked different departments to intensify the COVID-19 special awareness campaign ‘Mu bi COVID yodha’ (I’m a COVID warrior).

The state till Tuesday has reported close to 3,000 cases (2,994) of which around 2,000 people (1,993) have recovered while nine deaths so far have been recorded. Though the COVID-19 case count tally is comparatively low in the state, the officials are not taking any chances to stem the rot.

Chief minister, Naveen Patnaik has been very emphatic that the month of June is crucial as thee could be steep spike in Covid-19 cases with migrant workers returning to the state and the monsoon knocking the door.

Chief Secretary A K Tripathy on Tuesday issued directions to Information and Public Relation, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water, Women and Child Development and Mission Shakti Departments to intensify IEC (Information, Education and Communication) activities with the active involvement of the community.

Mr Tripathy asked the officials to make use of social media, television, radio, print media, advertisements to create awareness among people about the inevitable need for social distancing, mask wearing and hand hygiene.

Chief secretary finds a key role for IEC to win the fight against COVID-19 and check the possible spread of the pandemic and has been stressing on the need of an aware and alert community to achieve wonders in the fight against this unseen enemy.

In fact, the move by the state government involving panchayati raj institutions in keeping an eye on the virus has led to contain the virus in initial phases. Mr Tripathy has now asked the officials to constitute ward level COVID committees in both urban and rural areas within a week and suggested to involve women self-help groups, farmer producer groups and school management committees.

The officials hope that the awareness campaign ‘Mu bi COVID yodha’ (I’m a COVID warrior), would be able to fill in the people the values of self-responsibility with the spirit of Ama Swasthya Ama Hatare (our health in our hand).

The campaign veers around promotion of hand washing, personal hygiene, use of face mask, practicing social distancing, taking care of old and vulnerable people, eradication of social stigma, self-monitoring, community surveillance, quarantine and making use of 104 and telemedicine.