Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
As India recorded over 700 new Covid-19 cases after a gap of four months, the Union Health Ministry asked six states – that are experiencing a sudden spike in infections – to follow a risk assessment-based approach to handle the spread.
The ministry on Wednesday advised Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Telangana, Kerala, and Karnataka to increase testing, treating, vaccinating and tracking rising covid cases.
“There are few states which are reporting higher number of cases indicating possible localised spread of infection and there is a need to follow a risk assessment-based approach to prevent & contain the infection, without losing the gains made so far in the fight against the pandemic,” Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said in the letter.
The Centre advised these states to examine the virus situation at the micro-level and to implement the necessary measures needed for effective management of the infection.
It asked states to follow a five-fold strategy, which includes testing, tracking, treating and vaccination along with analysing new and emerging clusters of the virus. This needs to be along with keeping an eye on the new emerging Influenza-like illness (ILI) & SARI cases.
Bhushan called the rise a “concerning issue” that needed to be addressed on priority.
Asking the states to keep a strict watch, he mentioned that India has observed a significant decline in the number of coronavirus cases during the past few months.
Bhushan also highlighted the genomic sequencing for prescribed samples of international passengers, collection of samples from sentinel sites (identified health facilities), and local clusters of cases, proactive promotion to increase administration of precaution dose for all eligible beneficiaries.
“It is essential that the state must maintain a strict watch and take pre-emptive action if required in any areas of concern to control emerging spread of infection,” Bhushan said.
Rise in Covid cases across India
Covid cases continue to spiral upwards, as India recorded 754 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, while the death toll has increased to 5,30,790 with one fatality reported by Karnataka, according to data.
Maharashtra has reported an increase in weekly cases from 355 in the week ending March 8 to 668 in the week ending March 15.
Gujarat has reported an increase in weekly cases from 105 in the week ending March 8 to 279 in the week ending March 15, the letter stated. Further, the state reported a positivity rate of 1.11 per cent in the week ending March 15.
Telangana has reported an increase in weekly cases from 132 in the week ending March 8 to 267 in week ending March 15 and positivity rate of 0.31 per cent in the week ending March 15.
Tamil Nadu has reported an increase in weekly cases from 170 in the week ending March 8 to 258 in the week ending March 15.
Kerala has reported an increase in weekly cases from 434 to 579 during the period. Further, the state reported a positivity rate of 2.64 per cent in the week ending March 15.
Karnataka has reported an increase in weekly cases from 493 to 604 during the period. The state reported a positivity rate of 2.77 per cent in the week ending March 15
Active cases now comprise 0.01 per cent of the total infections, while the national Covid-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.80 per cent, according to the health ministry website.
