Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has intensified Covid-19 surveillance in border districts following a recent rise in coronavirus cases and two suspected Covid-related deaths in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.

Public Health Director Dr. Rabindranath Mishra said the state has been maintaining Covid surveillance and conducting regular testing across healthcare facilities. He assured that no positive cases have been detected in Odisha so far and urged the public not to panic.

No Covid-19 cases in Odisha yet, says State Public Health Director

"Covid surveillance is continuing across the state, and testing is being carried out regularly. All test results have remained negative so far. There is no need to worry, but we are always on alert," Dr. Mishra said.

In view of the situation in Andhra Pradesh, the Health Department has directed Chief District Medical Officers (CDMOs) of Odisha districts bordering the neighbouring state to intensify screening and ensure testing of all suspected Covid-19 cases at district headquarters hospitals.

The precautionary measures come ahead of the annual Rath Yatra, which is expected to draw lakhs of devotees from across the country to Odisha. Health officials said anyone showing Covid-like symptoms during the festival period will be tested and treated as per the prescribed Covid-19 protocols.

According to reports, Andhra Pradesh has recently detected several fresh Covid-19 infections, while two suspected Covid-related deaths have been reported from Kadapa district. The neighbouring state has stepped up surveillance, deployed rapid response teams, and instructed hospitals to keep isolation facilities ready as a precaution.

Odisha has also revived its preparedness measures following the Centre's earlier advisory issued after a rise in Covid-19 cases in June 2025. The advisory directed states to enhance testing, particularly for Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) patients and at least five per cent of Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) cases, besides sending positive SARI samples for genome sequencing through the ICMR laboratory network.

The senior health official said the state remains fully prepared to respond to any emerging Covid-19 situation while continuing routine surveillance and testing to ensure public safety.