'Focus On Testing, Vaccination': Centre's Advisory To Delhi & 6 States After Uptick In Covid Cases

Covid Update: The letter has been sent to the health secretaries of the state at a time when cases of coronavirus infection are increasing continuously in the country

A Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) worker administers precautionary booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine to a beneficiary, inside a bus (Source: PTI)

New Delhi: Amid the increasing coronavirus cases in India, a letter has been written on behalf of the Union Health Secretary to Delhi, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Telangana and has been asked to follow the rules of Coronavirus, increase the pace of vaccination to contain the surge, as reported by news agency PTI on Saturday. This letter has been sent to the health secretaries of the state at a time when cases of coronavirus infection are increasing continuously in the country. 

Union Health Secretary writes to Health Secys of Delhi, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu & Telangana on rising #COVID19 cases

"Should aim to increase pace of vaccination for eligible population&follow five-fold strategy&adherence to Covid Appropriate Behaviour" pic.twitter.com/YLko1ICh9c

— ANI (@ANI) August 6, 2022

In the last 24 hours, 19,406 cases have been registered across the country. At the same time, 49 patients have also died.

In the capital Delhi, 2,419 new cases have been reported in the last 24 hours and with this, the total number of patients has increased to 19,64,793. At the same time, the number of active cases has increased to 6,876 with an increase of 701 patients. 1,716 patients have also been cured in the capital and two patients died during this period.

Bhushan said Kerala reported 2,347 average cases each day in the previous month and Maharashtra 2,135 cases. He additionally referred to the district-wise spread of infection.

He mentioned states to guarantee compelling consistency of the reexamined observation procedure for COVID-19 which has been shared by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

"In view of some changes in symptoms and clinical manifestation of the disease, it is crucial to monitor and report district-wise influenza-like illness (ILI) and SARI cases in all health facilities as per the guidelines, on a regular basis for detecting early warning signals of the spread of infection. This will enable us to take pre-emptive action if required, in any areas of concern," he said.

Focusing on genome sequencing of recommended tests of global travelers as well as the collection of samples from sentinel sites and nearby groups of new COVID-19 cases is similarly significant, Bhushan said such samples should be sent immediately by the states and association regions to the assigned lab of INSACOG network for genome sequencing.

"Renewed attention needs to be paid for ensuring of Covid-appropriate behaviour in crowded places like markets, inter-state bus stands, schools, colleges, railway stations, etc," he said.

"States should aim to increase the pace of vaccination for all eligible population and accelerate the administration of free precaution doses for the 18-plus eligible population at all Government Covid Vaccination Centres (CVCs) under the 'COVID Vaccination Amrit Mahotsav' till September 30," he stated.

(With PTI Inputs)