The untold story of Odisha: How Odisha fought COVID-19

The journey that took more right turns than wrong- Ankita Mohanty

Odisha, a state long forgotten by mainstream media and often sidetracked by the central government is not new to disaster management. Known for its efficiency in tackling natural disaster, including ‘Fani’ the state has so far maintained to somewhat control COVID-19. As of May 2021, the state has a recovery rate of 87.5%, with a mortality rate of 0.46%.

THE FIRST WAVE

The first statewide information, education and communication (IEC) outreach about the coronavirus in Odisha was conducted on March 8, the same day when the first international passenger was screened in the state. Two days later, the state government declared COVID-19 to be a ‘disaster’. The state also empowered public officials to combat the spread under the Disaster Management Act 2005 and imposed the Epidemic Disease Act 1897 where necessary.

The next day, masks, gloves and sanitisers were qualified as essential commodities and a database of all persons arriving in Odisha from other states was activated. The state also declared an incentive of Rs 15,000 for anyone who had returned to Odisha and self-imposed a 14-day home quarantine.

Even before the national lockdown was imposed by the Centre on March 24, Odisha was the first state to impose partial lockdown in select districts. It was also the first state that took proactive steps to ramp up its health care system particularly having a COVID-19 hospital with intensive care units (ICUs) on PPP mode.

Importantly, Odisha was the first state to create a COVID hospital in each district in record time. The eastern state was also among a select number of states that announced a modest economic package for its construction workers and frontline health workers. Also, the state took many proactive measures including setting up a task force to oversee the COVID-19 response, put up a critical information and communication system with daily press briefings among others to stay on the top of pandemic management. No wonder, these initial measures attracted the attention of analysts and policymakers including the World Health Organisation (WHO) which applauded the state’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

But come May, when the returnee migrant workers exodus began, the state experienced a steady surge in infections as the virus started spreading to a relatively dense rural hinterland. The migrant endowed districts like Ganjam then became the epicentres of new spread and the state started a battle to rein the pandemic.

On March 22, the total positive COVID cases had reduced to 146. After a strict travel ban and weekly shutdown in most cities, Odisha was finally hearing some positive news.

THE SECOND WAVE

The second wave has been quite cracking in Odisha, unlike the marathon steady rise in the first wave. In just 26-days, the contagious virus has accomplished over 70 per cent of first wave daily peak count, which took over 117-long days to reach.

On 1st May 2021, Odisha witnessed a major single-day spike of more than 10,000 positive cases. The majority of the cases are peaking in western Odisha with Sundargarh in the forefront. It is safe to assume that Sundargarh is the new Ganjam.

Although Odisha has enforced moment restrictions like night curfew and weekly shutdown the countdown for a steep surge in cases in Odisha has begun. In a country where a majority of people are gasping for air, the Odisha stats aren’t that alarming. The state government assures that 70% of the COVID beds aren’t occupied and Odisha has ample amount of oxygen left. So much so that it is transporting oxygen to states worst hit by 2nd wave of coronavirus.

Now, I am not defending the state government but Naveen Pattnaik’s steady bureaucracy has managed to create some sense of comfort. No doubt the state faltered during the later stage of 1st wave but it is imperative to note that the eastern state is home to more than 40% socially vulnerable population (23% Scheduled Tribes and 17% Scheduled Castes) population (22.85%) which are a deprived lot in terms of key human development indicators of the state. In many ways, this eastern state is a major paradox. A state with a long coastline that is endowed with rich natural resources, mineral deposits is ironically one of the poorest states in India.

Thus, when one evaluates the nature and dynamics of Odisha’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, aspects of weak state capacity and legacy issues-particularly fragile health system and related vulnerabilities need to be kept in mind.