States, Centre must work collaboratively to prevent Covid-19 surge, says Mandaviya

New Delhi, December 23: Taking note of the global rise in Covid-19 cases, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Friday that the Centre and States must work in "tandem" and in a "collaborative spirit," as they did during previous surges.

Mandaviya stated that the country must be on high alert and fully prepared for COVID management while chairing a virtual meeting with state health ministers, Principal Secretaries, Additional Chief Secretaries, and Information Commissioners.

The meeting was held in the presence of Union Minister of State for Health Bharati Pravin Pawar, NITI Aayog member V K Paul, to review public health preparedness for Covid-19 containment and management, as well as the progress of the national Covid-19 vaccination campaign, in light of the recent increase in cases in some countries such as China, Japan, Brazil, and the United States.

Referring to PM Modi's message from yesterday's high-level review meeting, Mandaviya requested that everyone remain alert and ready for Covid-19 management.

According to an official statement, states have been asked to maintain a proactive and preventive approach.

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"Strengthen the surveillance system for whole genome sequencing of positive case samples to track the variants through the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) network to ensure timely detection of newer variants, if any, circulating in the country. Focus is to be given to health facility-based sentinel surveillance; pan-respiratory virus surveillance; community-based surveillance; and sewage/wastewater surveillance," the minister said.

He also emphasised the "need to collectively reinvigorate the system and remove any sense of complacency and fatigue".

"Irrespective of the new COVID variants, 'Test-Track-Treat-Vaccinate and adherence to COVID appropriate behaviour' continue to remain the tested strategy for COVID management as this would facilitate the undertaking of appropriate public health measures," he added.

States and union territories were also asked to quickly increase testing rates from the current rate of 79 tests per million as of the week ending December 22.

They were also advised to increase the share of RT-PCR in tests.

Manadaviya emphasised the importance of public awareness campaigns regarding adherence to Covid's appropriate behaviour in light of the upcoming holiday season.

Mandaviya directed that the State Health Ministers personally monitor and review the readiness of all infrastructure, as well as ensure an adequate supply of essential medicines.

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