Bhubaneswar, Jul 2 (IANS): The Odisha government on Thursday decided to start plasma therapy for the treatment of Covid-19 patients in the state, officials said.

A decision in this regard was taken at a meeting chaired by Health Minister Nabakishore Das here.

The Minister directed to constitute a technical committee to determine the plasma therapy treatment plan in the state.

The committee will also prepare an advisory for successful implementation of the therapy and create awareness among people regarding the plasma therapy.

Das informed that a plasma bank will be set up in Odisha and the treatment will initially be available in four hospitals of the state.

In the initial phase, plasma therapy will start at the SCB Medical College and Hospital and Ashwini Hospital in Cuttack and SUM Hospital and KIIMS Hospital in Bhubaneswar.

Odisha has already received its first batch of Remdesivir and Fabiflu drug to be clinically used for Covid-19 patients.

Meanwhile, the number of patients who have recovered from Covid-19 infection has increased to 5,502 in the state after 149 people were cured of the disease on Thursday.