Even as the second Covid wave rages across the State, owing to social stigma in Jeypore, the people are increasingly avoiding corona test and rather, preferring to self medicate them at home when they find symptoms of the disease in them. If sources are to be believed, most households in Jeypore town have people showing symptoms akin to Covid-19 but are hesitant to get them tested. Instead, they are self medicating by consuming commonly prescribed medicines from the local chemists. Many are even reluctant to go to hospitals for the fear of contacting the virus. All this is reportedly fuelling the virus spread as most cases go undetected.

Jeypore town has nearly 205 streets across 28 wards and sources said over 20 per cent localities have reported Covid positive cases. The lack of strict vigil by enforcement agencies is also aggravating the situation.

Reportedly, barring the Main Road and MG Road, normal rush with no social distancing is witnessed in other places till evening hours. Official records show that while daily case count reached up to 25 in Jeypore during the first wave, this time it has nearly doubled with the town reporting over 50 cases daily. As of Sunday, total 493 cases including four deaths were reported from Jeypore while 197 have recovered. Taking the grim situation into consideration, the district health administration has reactivated a 150-bed Covid hospital and 70-bed Covid care centre in Jeypore while pressing four ambulances into service.