Stressing that Covid is still over, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan in a letter to Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Haryana and Delhi suggested them to remain cautious and oppose laxity at all levels, saying he could cancel the achievements made in controlling the pandemic so far.
The country has noted a steady increase in COVID-19 cases since March, with 10,262 cases reported in the week ending April 20. An increase in the positivity rate was also noted across the country, with 5. 5% of positive cases reported in the week that ended. April 19 compared to 4. 7% positivity reported last week, Bhushan said.
“It’s cause for concern,” he said.
While COVID-19 hospitalization and death rates have remained low, states or districts reporting higher numbers of cases would likely imply an imaginable localized spread of infection, requiring additional screening of those states or districts (major daily instances and/or higher rates: testing). for positivity rates) and the desire to institute mandatory public suitability measures to control and engage those outbreaks in the early phases, he said.
“It is also imperative to ensure an immediate and normal update of knowledge to help accurate monitoring of the situation. It is imperative that the state maintain strict vigilance and take preventive measures if necessary in any domain of fear. “In the face of any emerging spread, regular surveillance and follow-up measures are crucial,” Bhushan said.
While the five-pronged strategy for pandemic control (test-follow-up-treatment-vaccination and adherence to appropriate Covid behavior) remains the approach shown, it is imperative that state fitness departments institute immediate and effective public fitness measures with a focus on facets such as strengthening Covid surveillance across districts and tracking trends in cases. of influenza-like illness (ILI). and AIRS at all sentinel watch sites and ensure their notification through the IDSP-IHIP network, he said.
He also suggested that they focus on maintaining sufficiently good levels of testing (especially in emerging hotspots, ILI and AIRS cases) in all districts, while maintaining the percentage of RT-PCR and antigen tests.
The focus was on spaces reporting major positive cases and new clusters of cases, Bhushan said, and asked them to increase the number of positive covid samples submitted for whole genomic sequencing through INSACOG’s network of laboratories, especially of any new clusters of detected cases. . in the community.
It was also suggested to the states that they make some operational preparation and a sufficiently good strengthening of the hospital infrastructure, that is, at the point of the subdistrict in terms of availability of essential medicines and equipment and a sufficiently trained workforce. Adequate money has already been provided for all States under various monetary packages and PM-ABHIM.
They were further suggested to inspire the adoption of precautionary doses among eligible beneficiaries while countering vaccine hesitancy through network outreach and network awareness to inspire early reporting of symptoms and testing, as well as adherence to appropriate Covid behaviors, especially in terms of avoiding overcrowding or poorly ventilated environments and mask wearing in such environments.
Bhushan said Uttar Pradesh reported an increase in weekly instances from 279 in the week ending April 13 to 696 in the week ending April 20.
While the state reported a positivity rate of 2. 19 percent in the week ending April 19, which is lower than the Indian average of 5. 5 percent, it noted that one district reported a positivity rate above 10 percent and four districts reported a positivity rate between five and 10 percent during the same period.
Regarding Tamil Nadu, Bhushan said the state reported an increase in weekly instances from 356 in the week ending April 13 to 510 in the week ending April 20. The state reported a 6% positivity rate in the week ending April 19.
In addition, 11 districts reported a positivity rate above 10 consistent with cent and 12 districts reported a positivity rate between five and 10 consistent with cent the week ending April 19.
Rajasthan reported an increase in cases from 181 (week ending April 13) to 435 (week ending April 20). It reported a positivity rate of 5. 81% in the week ending April 19, Bhushan said.
In addition, he noted that six districts reported a positivity rate above 10 consistent with cent and 11 districts reported a positivity rate between five and 10 consistent with cent in the week ending April 19.
Bhushan said Maharashtra reported an increase in weekly instances from 774 in the week ending April 13 to 872 in the week ending April 20. The state reported a positivity rate of 6. 87% in the week ending April 19.
Kerala, Bhushan said, reported growth in weekly instances from 2,139 in the week ending April 13 to 2,602 in the week ending April 20, while Karnataka reported growth in weekly instances from 268 in the week ending April 13 to 369 in the week ending April 20.
While Karnataka reported a positivity rate of 2. 83% in the week ending April 19, which is lower than the Indian average, it was noted that the urban district of Bengaluru reported a higher positivity rate of 6. 7% in the same period.
Haryana saw an increase in weekly instances from 445 in the week ending April 13 to 910 in the week ending April 20, while in Delhi there was an increase in weekly instances from 741 in the week ending April 13 to 1471 in the week ending April. 20. .
Delhi reported a positivity rate of 29. 65% in the week ending April 19, which is particularly higher than India’s positivity rate of 5. 5% in the same period.