Centre Writes To States, J&K After Some Districts See Over 700% Hike In Covid Cases - Key Points

Meanwhile, Kerala has reported a total of 1,71,521 new Covid-19 cases in the month ending December 3, contributing to over 55 per cent of India’s caseload.

New Delhi: In view of the rising cases of coronavirus, weekly positivity rates and deaths, the Central government on Saturday wrote to the states and the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir after some districts reported an alarming rise in infections.

As per latest updates, Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a surge of 736 percent in Covid-19 cases lately.

Meanwhile, Kerala has reported a total of 1,71,521 new Covid-19 cases in the month ending December 3, contributing to over 55 percent of India’s caseload.

Several districts in Mizoram have seen a massive surge in positivity rates as high as 17 per cent.

As per the Health Ministry, the Tumakuru district in Karnataka has reported a 152 per cent hike in Covid-19 cases between November 25 to the week ending December 2.

The states have been asked to take necessary steps under the “Test-Track-Treat-Vaccinate-Covid Appropriate Behaviour” strategy to control the spread and reduce fatality.

Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan, in his letter, has advised states including Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Mizoram and Jammu & Kashmir to ensure strict Covid protocols and take necessary actions to contain the resurgence of another wave of Coronavirus.

Key Points From Health Ministry’s Letter To States:

i. States advised to undertake enhanced surveillance of international travellers, monitor emerging hotspots, prompt contact tracing of positive people.

ii. States asked to send all positive samples for genome sequencing, early identification of cases and review of health infrastructure preparedness.

iii. States asked to focus on IEC and community sensitization.

iv. Increase in weekly new deaths has been noted in Bengaluru Urban. From 8 new deaths reported in the week ending November 25 to 14 deaths in the week ending December 2.

v. Karnataka reported 8,073 new cases in the month ending December 3. Kerala reported 1,71,521 new cases in the month ending December 3.

vi. Jammu and Kashmir reported 4,806 new cases in the month ending December 3, with a few districts such as Kathua, Jammu, Ganderbal and Baramulla showing an increase in the previous week.

vii. Odisha reported 7,445 new cases during the same period, with a contribution of 2.5 per cent to India's new cases from over the past month.

viii. Mizoram reported 12,562 new cases in the month ending December 4, with a contribution of 4.1 per cent to India’s new cases from over the past month.