'Be Vigilant Even Though Covid Cases Declining': Health Minister Tells Eastern States

Mandaviya urged the states to monitor the case positivity rate on a daily basis and increase the RT-PCR testing rate as most of the states exhibited a lower share of such tests.

Representative Image | Photo: AFP

New Delhi: Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Saturday said there is still a need to be vigilant and not lower the guard although the active Covid-19 cases in most of the states and the positivity rate have shown a fall in the last two weeks.

Mandaviya urged the states to monitor the case positivity rate on a daily basis and increase the RT-PCR testing rate as most of the states exhibited a lower share of such tests.

“While the active cases in most of the states and the positivity rate have shown a fall in the last two weeks, we still need to be vigilant and not lower our guard,” he said in an interaction with five eastern states, PTI reported.

The Health Minister advised the states to analyze the proportion of vaccinated and unvaccinated of the hospitalised cases at the state level and the deaths and those on ventilators and oxygen support.

He said ‘test-track-treat-vaccinate and adherence to Covid appropriate behaviour’ continue to remain the tested strategy irrespective of the coronavirus variants.

Mandaviya advised all states to fully and effectively utilise the ECRP-II funds for strengthening the existing healthcare infrastructure and create new as per the requirement.

The states were requested to review the progress on a regular basis as the located funds under ECRP-II shall lapse on March 31, 2022.

It was highlighted that this healthcare infrastructure will not only be utilised during the present pandemic, but will serve the people in the future as well.

He reminded the states to complete installation and commissioning of the PSA plants, LMO storage tanks and MGPS expeditiously.

The Health Minister stated that vaccination is a critical tool for pandemic management,

In tune with the same, he advised the states to accelerate vaccination of all eligible population, especially of the 15-17 age group and those whose Covid second dose is due.

Mandaviya suggested establishing teleconsultation hubs in every district hospital while highlighting the importance of teleconsultation through platforms such as eSanjeevani.

He also proposed ramping up the creation of Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centers (AB-HWCs) at the earliest.

Stating it will help the masses and enable healthcare access to the remote areas of the country, he said these can be used not only during the ongoing pandemic but also for non-Covid healthcare.

The state health ministers, principal secretaries/ additional chief secretaries and information commissioners of Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar and Jharkhand were among those who participated in the meeting.

The states shared their best practices at the review meeting.

Chhattisgarh mentioned that a proper analysis of vaccinated and non-vaccinated people who tested positive is being made.

Bihar emphasized their initiative of doorstep delivery of medicines to Covid-19 positive patients in home isolation through speed post.

Jharkhand on its part informed about collecting data of the migrant workers for vaccination.