COVID-19 UPDATE: Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya held a virtual meeting with health ministers of states and Union territories over rising COVID-19 cases in some parts of the world. The meeting was held to discuss preparedness in the country amid reports of spiralling Covid cases in China and a few other countries.
During the meeting, the Union Health Minister advised states to be on the alert and keep all preparedness for Covid management. "Centre and states need to work in a collaborative spirit as we have done during the previous surges," Mandaviya stated.
Health Minister stresses on 'Test-Track-Treat-Vaccinate'
Further, he urged states to strengthen the surveillance system; ramp up testing and ensure the readiness of hospital infrastructure. He also stressed on 'Test-Track-Treat-Vaccinate' saying Covid-appropriate behaviour continues to remain the tested strategy for pandemic management.
"Also, stressed on combating the pandemic with a pre-emptive & proactive approach by increasing testing, genome sequencing and following Covid-appropriate behaviour. There is no need to panic. We have 3 years of experience in pandemic management. The Centre Govt will provide all the support to combat COVID-19. We will take action as per the needs," Mandaviya remarked.
Mandaviya briefed the Parliament over government's actions
Earlier on Thursday (December 22), Mandaviya briefed the Parliament over government's actions in the wake of rising coronavirus cases globally.
He said India has started randomly testing 2% of international travellers from today.
"We are constantly monitoring the situation. There are no direct flights between China and India but people come via other routes," the health minister said. He said the focus is to ensure that no unknown variant of the virus enters India and at the same time there is no impediment to travelling.
PM Modi COVID review meet:
As China and some other countries witness a surge in Covid cases, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday cautioned against complacency, called for strict vigil and directed that the ongoing surveillance measures, especially at international airports, be strengthened.
"Covid is not over yet," Modi reiterated at a high-level Covid review meeting and urged people to wear masks in crowded places.
PM Modi in a high-level meeting on Covid-19 urged people to wear masks in crowded public places, asked authorities to ramp up testing, genome sequencing, and to encourage people especially vulnerable, elderly groups to take 'Precaution (booster) dose'.
The high-level meeting came after a sudden rise of Covid cases in China and some other countries which have raised concerns of a possible new wave across the world. PM was briefed that India has been witnessing a steady decline in cases with average daily cases falling to 153 and weekly positivity down to 0.14 per cent in the week ending December 22, 2022. However, 5.9 lakh daily average cases have been reported globally since the last 6 weeks, the PMO informed.
The Union Health Ministry asked the Civil Aviation Ministry to ensure random post-arrival Covid testing of two per cent of arriving passengers in each international flight at airports from December 24 (Saturday), to minimize the risk of ingress of any new variant of coronavirus in the country.
(With inputs from agencies)
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