High-Level COVID Meeting: Centre Directs States To Identify Hotspots, Ramp Up Testing

New Delhi: Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, who chaired a high-level meeting on COVID-19 preparedness on Friday, directed Health ministers of states and Union Territories (UTs) to identify emergency hotspots, ramp up testing and ensure hospital infrastructure readiness.

With India reporting 6,050 new COVID-19 cases – which represents a 13% rise compared to the previous 24 hours — and 14 fatalities, Mandaviya stressed on the need for the Centre and states & UTs to work in collaboration, like during previous coronavirus waves to keep infection under control.

The Union minister also directed health officials to follow the trusted five-fold strategy of test, track, treat, vaccinate and COVID-appropriate behaviour.

Mandaviya said emergency hotspots where positivity rate is very high should be identified, and testing and genome sequencing must be increased.

Besides stepping up vaccination, state administrations must ensure hospitals are equipped with necessary infrastructure so that proper treatment can be administered to COVID-positive in case of a big surge in cases.

State Health ministers have been asked to review preparedness for COVID-19 management with district administrations and public health officials on April 8 and 9.

For the mock drills to be conducted across all health facilities on April 10 and 11, Mandaviya directed Health ministers to visit hospitals and COVID centres to review the drills.