Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan has written to Chief Secretaries of eight States and union territories asking them to be cautious about the rising COVID-19 cases in their areas and emphasised the need to be vigilant and not panic.
Letters have been sent to Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Haryana in the wake of uptick in COVID cases and the Ministry has directed them to increase the number of COVID-positive samples sent for whole genomic sequence, adding that the pandemic is far from over.
States have also been asked to strengthen surveillance in all districts, monitor trends of Influenza-like illness (ILI) & SARI cases, maintain adequate levels of testing (especially in emerging hotspots, ILI & SARI cases) while maintaining the recommended share of RT-PCR and Antigen tests.
States have also been told to ensure operational readiness and adequate strengthening of hospital infrastructure and encourage vaccine uptake among eligible beneficiaries, counter vaccine hesitancy through community awareness, and promote early symptom reporting, testing, and adherence to COVID-appropriate behaviour, including avoiding overcrowded and poorly ventilated settings and wearing masks.
