Bhubaneswar: Odisha government is augmenting health care capacity as the number of COVID-19 cases goes up day by day.

The State has launched a massive training program for MBBS students, faculties, health department officials, district and block level master trainers to empower health services in COVID-19 containment. So far, 891 students of SCB (Cuttack), 325 students of MKCG (Berhampur), 300 students of VIMSAR (Burla), 247 faculty members and PG students of MKCG (Berhampur), totaling to 1500 have already been trained. Similarly, 360 district and 2264 block level master trainers have been given training.

Three mega dedicated COVID hospitals by KIMS, Aswini and SUM hospitals with over 1000 beds have been lined up to admit COVID-19 patients.

The total number of COVID positive cases in the State has crossed the 30 mark.

The State government, meanwhile, has engaged members of Self help Groups under Mission Shakti in the awareness drive on COVID-19, stretching the message from village to urban areas within 3 days. During Lock Down, SHG members, assisted by district administration, have been able to provide essential commodities through 600 shops and mobile facilities. They have been instrumental in preparing 25 lakh meals for destitute and helpless people and prepared more than 10 lakh masks. Around 70 lakh mothers involved in SHG activities have been requested to do policing in their homes and to pursue their family members for secured home stay.