The Centre reviewed the COVID-19 situation in 115 districts of 9 states which are showing an upsurge in coronavirus cases and positivity rate. The government flagged concerns regarding low levels of testing and vaccination. The states were asked to report and monitor district-wise Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) and influenza-like illness (ILI) cases on a daily basis.
The central government asked the states to accelerate the ongoing Covid-19 vaccination program for first, second, and precautionary dose.
The Union health ministry noted that there was substantial scope in increasing the pace of COVID vaccination in Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Assam, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala
The states were asked to ensure strict surveillance in all the districts of concern that are showing positivity rate of over 10 per cent in the last week.
Rajesh Bhushan, Union Health Secretary, chaired a high-level meeting today to review the COVID-19 situation in 9 states of Kerala, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh, which are either reporting a surge in new daily COVID cases or a rise in positivity.
Dr VK Paul expressed concern regarding the surge in coronavirus cases in the above-mentioned states in the past one month. “We need to be mindful that COVID has not gone. Looking at the global scenario, we need to be at high alert. There is poor surveillance, poor testing and below average vaccination in many states undergoing the present surge,” he said.
In an attempt to increase the pace of vaccination drive, the Centre launched ‘COVID Vaccination Amrit Mahotsav’ July 15, 2022 to provide free precaution dose at all government Covid vaccination centres. All persons aged 18 years and above who have completed 6 months or 26 weeks since the administration of second dose of Covid-19 vaccine are eligible for administration of free precaution dose till September 30, 2022.
Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Union Health Secretary underlined the critical COVID control and management strategies. The health ministry released the list of steps which are as follows:
All districts reporting higher positivity rate need to undertake adequate testing with higher proportion of RTPCR tests. Any laxity will result in deterioration of the situation in these districts.
There is need to effectively and strictly monitor home isolation cases so that they are not intermingling and circulating in their neighborhoods, community, village, mohalla, ward etc., and spreading the infection.
States were advised to conduct surveillance as per revised surveillance strategy issued on 9th June, 2022. They were further directed to report district-wise SARI (Severe Acute Respiratory Illness) and ILI (Influenza-like Illness) cases on a daily basis. Also, to send these for genome sequencing to mapped INSACG labs.
States were advised to undertake test indicated proportion of international arrivals, with genome sequencing of all positives; identify sentinel sites for INSACOG network to send samples for Whole Genome Sequencing.
States also to send positive samples from large clusters / outbreaks in the community and unusual events for Whole Genome Sequencing.
States to create added awareness regarding reporting of those who opt for home test kits through RAT, for timely identification of those cases that need clinical management. All such positive patients to be advised for home isolation so prevent infection spread in the community.
States were urged to accelerate administration of ongoing free Covid-19 vaccination for 1st, 2nd and precaution dose. States were further urged to intensify the implementation of Free Precaution Doses for 18+ population under ‘COVID Vaccination Amrit Mahotsav’ till 30th September, 2022.
States were reiterated that focused implementation of COVID Appropriate Behaviour (CAB) is critical to control the spread of infection. They were advised to create awareness within community on infection spread and on these protocols.
