Centre Writes To 6 States To Ramp Up Covid Measures As Cases Rise Again

Citing a possible localised spread of the virus in these states, the Union health ministry asked these states to follow a five-fold strategy of test, track, treat and vaccinate.

Outlook Web Desk

Updated on: 16 March 2023 2:44 pm

Covid-19 testing at a healthcare facility (Representative image)

Amid rising cases of viral infections like seasonal influenza subtype H3N2, the Union ministry of?health and family welfare has written a letter to six states – Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka – to expedite preventive measures and follow a “risk assessment-based approach” to curb the spread of Covid infections.

Citing a possible localised spread of the virus in these states, the health ministry asked these states to follow a five-fold strategy of test, track, treat and vaccinate. "There are a few states which are reporting higher numbers of cases indicating a possible localised spread of infection," Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said in the letter.

Bhushan advised these states to examine the situation of Covid-19 at a micro-level and focus on implementing necessary measures for prompt and effective management of the disease, in compliance with the advisories issued by the Centre.

The Centre had also expressed concern last week over a gradual increase in the Covid-19 positivity rate in some states and said it needed to be promptly addressed.?

Bhushan said that while there had been a significant decline in Covid cases in the past few months, there has been a rise in infections in recent weeks, specifically in certain parts of the country. The week ending March 8 reported 2,082 cases, whereas the figure rose to 3,264 cases for the week ending March 15, he said.

The health secretary stressed monitoring new and emerging clusters of new Covid cases, influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) cases in all health facilities or through dedicated fever clinics on a regular basis for detecting early warning signals of the spread of infection.

He also highlighted the need for genomic sequencing of prescribed samples of international passengers, collection of samples from sentinel sites (identified health facilities), and local clusters of cases, proactive promotion to increase administration of precautionary doses for all eligible beneficiaries and following Covid-appropriate behaviour particularly in enclosed spaces and in crowded spaces.

Maharashtra has reported an increase in weekly cases from 355 till March 8 to 668 in the week ending March 15. Gujarat’s weekly cases surged from 105 to 279, and Telangana’s from 132 till March 8 to 267 till March 15, according to the letter.

Tamil Nadu reported an increase in weekly cases from 170 till March 8 to 258 till March 15, Kerala from 434 to 579, and Karnataka from 493 to 604 during the period, the letter stated.

(With PTI inputs)