The Odisha government has announced that Covid-19 vaccination would be free of cost in the state. All residents above 18 can get the vaccine free of cost.

Making this announcement on Sunday, Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik said: “Around 2 crore people of Odisha will be benefitted. The state will spend nearly Rs 2,000 crore on account of the vaccination programme. The people don’t have to spend a single penny towards vaccination. I request all people to abide by the Covid guidelines.”

People between the age group of 18 and 45 will be administered Covid vaccines from May 1.

“The 4.5 crore people of the state are my family members. I want my people to stay safe and my Odisha to remain safe. The life of each member of the family is precious for me,” Naveen said, adding that if people abide by Covid guidelines like social distancing and use of masks the state will not need to resort to measures like shutdowns and lockdowns.

On Monday, the Odisha government said the people who had received the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine at private hospitals can take the second jab at government hospitals free of cost. The registration for the third phase of Covid-19 vaccination will commence from April 28.

“People need to register their names. Those who have registered will get the message about the time and the session sites on their mobile,” said director, health and family welfare, Bijay Panigrahi.

Meanwhile, the number of deaths continues to increase and inched closer to 2,000 mark with reported death of nine more persons in the last 24 hours. The death toll stands at 1,997.

The tally of infected persons also continues to rise with the state on Monday reporting 6,599 cases. Even the district collector of Dhenkhanal, Bhumesh Chandra Behera, has tested positive and has been admitted to the ICU.

Former Kandhamal MP Sugrib Singh (58) passed away on Monday at a private hospital after undergoing treatment for Covid-19. He was elected to Lok Sabha on a BJD ticket in 2004.