By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, August 4, 2020: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday urged the people to join him in a one-minute silent prayer for the COVID Warriors who have laid down their lives in the fight against COVID-19 in the state on Wednesday.

“I appeal to my 4.5 crore sisters and brothers of Odisha to join this silent prayer at 6 pm tomorrow at your homes or any place for the COVID Warriors. This will be followed by an oath taking that will remind all of us to act responsibly and strictly follow the COVID guidelines to keep ourselves and our families safe. I will administer you the oath on the TV and social media,” Patnaik said.

The number of COVID recovered patients in the state will cross 25,000 on Wednesday, the chief minister said adding that Odisha has been able to achieve this unique milestone due to the tireless efforts by thousands of COVID Warriors for whom the state has the lowest death rate of 0.57 per cent in the country.

In the meanwhile, nine doctors and an employee of Sambalpur based VSS Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR), were among 1384 more tested positive for Covid-19 on Tuesday raising the total infected in state to 37,681. Nine patients died in past 24 hours, raising the death tally to 216. Total 82 more people tested positive in Sambalpur district.
Ganjam continues to be the hotspot with 288 new positive cases and six deaths due to the deadly virus. Other districts reporting high number of positive cases include Khurda (201), Cuttack (121), Keonjhar (66) and Sundargarh (64). State capital Bhubaneswar added 149 new cases while Cuttack city saw 91 new positive cases.