Bhubaneswar, Dec. 4 -- Amid growing cases of Omicron variant of Covid-19 abroad and in the country, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan has written to the Odisha Government expressing concern over the high infection rate in seven districts of the State and directed to take necessary steps to control the spread of infection and reduce fatalities.

"Odisha has reported 71,445 new cases in month ending December 4 (30 days), with a contribution of 2.5% to India's new cases from over the past month. It is important to be noted that Khordha district is reporting a high quantum of weekly cases with 900 new cases reported in week ending December 3. Further, 6 out of 30 districts reported an increase in the weekly caseload in week ending Decembe...