By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, December 22, 2021: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday appealed to people to strictly follow the COVID-19 appropriate behaviour to defeat the new Omicron variant of coronavirus.

“Now COVID-19 new variant Omicron is spreading across the globe. Therefore, I appeal to people to remain alert and follow the norms like wearing masks, hand wash, maintaining social distancing and avoid crowd,” Patnaik said in a video message.

Stressing that the state with the support of people has successfully tackled the first and second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, he said public cooperation was essential.

Odisha on Tuesday reported two cases of Omicron variant after conducting genome sequencing of 12 COVID-19 positive patients who recently returned from foreign countries.

Meanwhile, the state government on Wednesday convened a meeting of senior officials to discuss additional measures to be taken in view of the Omicron variant which has already made its entry into Odisha.

“The meeting resolved to increase surveillance and vaccination activities. The government will expand genome sequencing tests,” said Nirajan Mishra, the director of public health service.

Health Services Director Bijay Mohapatra said the Central Government has written to all states and union territories advising the administrations to impose restrictions if the test positivity rate (TPR) crosses 10 per cent or occupancy of oxygen-supported ICU beds touches 40 per cent.

“Therefore, the people should adhere to COVID-19 appropriate behaviour. We should take every possible step to stop further transmission of the virus,” he said, adding that Omicron is three times more transmissible than the Delta variant.

Noting that the present situation should not be taken lightly, he said, people’s cooperation is essential to fight the danger from the Omicron.

The Centre has suggested to states to formulate a strategy that can ensure infection is contained at the local level itself before it spreads to other parts of the state.