The second wave of COVID-19 that started early this year is seeing a downward slope.  Odisha being one of the most competent state in tackling the COVID situation in the country, has put numerous pro-people efforts to pacify the wave.

The State unlike others in the country, avoided religious gatherings. Election rallies that were to happen in different parts of the state in the month of March were immediately cancelled as many parts of the country recorded large number of cases.

However, the period that followed saw hundreds and thousands of cases across the state with the virus penetrating into the rural pockets with inadequate health infrastructure. Districts like Khordha, Sundargarh and Jharsuguda recorded the highest number of cases during the period with many parts of Western Odisha being one of the worst hit due to the second wave.

Civil Society Organisations across the state had a huge role in extending adequate support to people from different sections of the society. From extending hygiene kits in the community to migrant workers to arranging food and shelter for urban homeless and orphan children with the support of government local bodies, CSOs also provided mental health counselling sessions through experts.

Later, in the month of May when the cyclone ‘YAAS’ hit Odisha amidst the second wave, the government and CSOs joined hands to fight it together. Coastal districts of Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak were on high alert due to the cyclone. The state effectively evacuated people of the area following COVID guidelines and took special care of pregnant women with the help and consultation of civil society organisations. Almost 300 babies were born in the state on the day of the cyclone.

The government was efficient in preparing for maximum number of medicines, hospital beds, ventilator and oxygen cylinders required in the second phase. Strict lockdown measures have been imposed to control the rising number of cases. CSOs have been instrumental in assisting health-workers, executing required programmes and spreading awareness on the ground. Numerous CSOs in the state like CYSD have also extended protection gears, oxygen cylinders and other important equipment to fight COVID in the community.

Support, cooperation and coordination between the government, the civil society organisations and the people of the state have been successful in dragging the COVID graph down.