The Municipal Corporation of Delhi urged its hospitals and healthcare units on Thursday to screen feverish patients and have appropriate supplies of necessary medications on hand, amid a surge in influenza and daily Covid-19 instances in areas of the nation, news agency PTI reported.
The local authority requested that its hospital institutions check that their ventilators and other equipment are operational.
"All hospitals should maintain oxygen supply (LMO & cylinders) and PSA oxygen plant in operational mode," the MCD said in an advisory, PTI reported.
"Hospitals should promote booster dose of vaccination amongst staff and patients/families. Ensure that due care is taken in implementing the government's guidelines for the prevention of the spread of Covid-19,” the advisory further reads.
The MCD has requested its hospitals to designate a nodal officer to guarantee sanitization, infection prevention, and adequate biological waste management.
Some of the rules that must be followed were highlighted in the advise. These included urging employees and patients to wear face masks, social distance, handwashing with soap and water, and thorough sanitization of the facilities.
"All patients visiting health units/hospitals should be sensitised regarding the above guidelines and also encouraged to get themselves vaccinated with booster dose. Senior citizens should be attended to on priority as they are a vulnerable group," it said.
According to the Union Health Ministry, India recorded 1,300 new coronavirus infections on Thursday, the most in 140 days, while active cases jumped to 7,605.
After three deaths, the death toll has risen to 5,30,816. According to the ministry's data, Karnataka, Gujarat, and Maharashtra each recorded one new death.
During a high-level meeting with authorities on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised that Covid-19 is "far from finished," and he urged officials to keep surveillance and precaution despite an increase in influenza and coronavirus infections in the country over the last two weeks.