Covid Meet: PM Modi Calls For Testing of All SARI Cases, Ramping Up Genome Sequencing

Covid-19 Review Meeting: According to data updated on Wednesday by the Union Health Ministry, India has recorded 1,134 new coronavirus cases and 7,026 active cases.

PM Modi chairs a high-level meeting to review the COVID situation amid rise in cases in the country and to take stock of the public health preparedness, in New Delhi. ( Image Source :PTI )

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a high-level meeting on Wednesday to assess public health readiness and review the Covid situation in light of the country's rising number of cases. While presiding over the meeting, the Prime Minister advised everyone to take the necessary precautions against the coronavirus and to remain vigilant. As per the PTI report, he further called for enhancing lab surveillance, testing of all severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) cases and increase genome sequencing.

Secretary of Health Rajesh Bhushan gave a comprehensive presentation at the meeting about the global Covid situation and the rising number of cases in India, reported PTI.

PM Modi also spoke about the importance of maintaining repsiratory hygiene and engaging in behavior that is appropriate for children.

According to data updated on Wednesday by the Union Health Ministry, India has recorded 1,134 new coronavirus cases and 7,026 active cases.

In addition, PM Modi apprised on the influenza situation, particularly in light of the increased number of H1N1 and H3N2 cases that have been reported in the country over the past few months.

Five deaths have been reported in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of Covid-19 fatalities to 5,30,813. According to the most recent information provided by the Union Health Ministry, the deaths were reported from Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and one fatality was recorded by Kerala.

Due to a slight increase in the number of Covid-19 cases, the Kerala government has issued an alert to all districts in the interim. 

“There are a total of 1,026 active cases of COVID-19 and 111 people are under treatment in hospitals. All districts have been alerted,” the minister said.

Earlier on Sunday, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's Covid-19 National Task Force issued revised guidelines for the management of adult Covid-19 patients. Issuing revised guidelines for treatment of Covid cases, the Centre advised doctors not to use convalescent plasma therapy.

Drugs such as Lopinavir-ritonavir, hydroxychloroquine, Ivermectin, Molnupiravir, Favipiravir, Azithromycin and Doxycycline also should not be used for the treatment of adult Covid-19 patients, the Health Ministry guidelines said. The Health Ministry said Remdesivir may be considered for up to five days (200 mg IV on Day 1 followed by 100 mg IV OD for the next 4 days) in moderate or severe diseases at high risk of progression.

The Centre said antibiotics should not be used for treating adult coronavirus patients unless there is clinical suspicion of bacterial infection. Issuing revised guidelines for treatment of Covid cases, the Centre advised doctors not to use convalescent plasma therapy. The Centre also advised people to seek immediate medical attention if there is difficulty breathing, high-grade fever or severe cough, particularly if lasting for more than five days.