In Odisha, COVID-19 active cases have further come down to 13,919. A total of 1,462 patients recovered today against 1,474 fresh infection.<br />'' <br />''With this, while the cumulative recovery in the state has reached 2,80, 553, the total caseload has gone up to 2,95,889.<br />'' <br />''AIR correspondent reports, COVID-appropriate behaviour being observed by the people in general coupled with the crowd prevention measures of the government in particular, has significantly dented the viral transmission in the state.<br />'' <br />''Despite this, while the government is yet to take a call on the re-opening of the religious places for the devotees, it is seriously mulling over re-opening of schools, shut down since the early days of the lockdown.<br />'' <br />''Consultations with the stakeholders and preparation of the Standard Operating Procedures are already afoot towards this end.<br />'' <br />''<span style="color: #222222;">Meanwhile, with a view to preventing the virus from slipping out of control, particularly during the wintry days ahead, the government has slapped a ban on the sale and use of firecrackers in the state in view of the upcoming Diwali from the 10th to the end of this month. </span><br />