Balasore: After frontline health workers, doctors and police personnel, a legislator has now contracted COVID-19 in Odisha. Nilagiri MLA Sukanta Nayak tested positive for the coronavirus, informed sub-Collector, Harish Chandra Jena.
It is for the first time that a member of the Odisha Legislative Assembly (OLA) has tested positive for coronavirus. According to Jena, Nilagiri MLA’s swab samples were collected three days back and his report came positive for COVID-19 today.
“My swab samples were collected on Saturday and it came out positive for coronavirus today. I will undergo treatment at the dedicated COVID hospital,” said Sukanta Nayak.
As the MLA had recently attended a meeting, we will sanitise NAC and tehsil offices and other places as a precautionary measure, the sub-collector informed. Jena further added that a medical team would soon launch contact tracing and other activities as per the protocol.
“We urge people not to visit government offices for the next few days. As per necessary directions from the Collector, we will decide on shutdown and other measures,” Jena added.
Union Minister Pratap Sarangi today self quarantined himself after the Nilagiri MLA tested positive for COVID-19. Sarangi reportedly had shared dais with the BJP legislator during a government programme.
