New Delhi: Rajesh Bhushan, Union Health Secretary, chaired a high-level meeting  to review preparedness status of the entire spectrum of management of the COVID19 pandemic in view of the upsurge in cases, with States and UTs through a Video Conference. Dr V K Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog and Dr Rajiv Bahl, Secretary, Dept of Health Research were also present in the review meeting.

The Union Health Secretary referred to the message of Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the high-level review meeting held on 22nd March, 2023 and advised States to be on the alert and ensure preparedness for COVID19 management. He cautioned States/UTs against any complacency and advised them to follow up on the priorities listed in the joint advisory issued by Dept. of Health Research and Dept of Health and Family Welfare on 25th March, 2023. He stressed on ramping of testing with higher proportion of RT-PCR, and whole genome sequencing of positive samples. 

He also stressed on the need to increase administration of precaution dose among people, especially for the vulnerable population group. A comprehensive presentation was made covering the global Covid-19 situation including the rising cases in India. States/UTs were briefed that India has been witnessing increase in COVID-19 cases with average daily cases rising to 966 in the week ending 23rd March, 2023 from 313 average daily cases in the week ending 3rd March, 2023; and weekly positivity going up to 1.08 per cent during the same time.

It was informed that weekly positivity in Maharashtra has gone up to 4.58 per cent as on 24th March, 2023 from 0.54 per cent in the week ending 3rd March, 2023. In Gujarat, it has increased to 2.17 per from 0.07 per cent. In Kerala, weekly positivity shot up to 4.51 per cent from 1.47 per cent. Karnataka witnessed average weekly positivity rise up to 3.05 per from 1.65 per cent while Delhi has seen weekly positivity rise to 4.25 per cent from 0.53 per cent.

Similarly, Himachal Pradesh witnessed weekly positivity increase to 7.48 per cent from 1.92 per cent. In Rajasthan, it has increased from 0.12 per cent to 1.62 per cent and Tamil Nadu reported an increase in weekly positivity from 0.46 per cent to 2.40 per cent in the same time period. 22 States/UTs are reporting average daily TPM less than the national average. It was also pointed that 24 districts in India are reporting more than 10 per cent weekly positivity in the week ending 24th March, 2023, while 43 districts are reporting weekly positivity between 5-10 per cent in the same time period.

Rajesh Bhushan also advised States to undertake mock drills across all health facilities on 10th and 11th April, 2023 to ensure operational readiness of Hospital Infrastructure, including Oxygen Cylinders, PSA plants, ventilators, logistics and human resources. He informed about the status of the last mock drill which was conducted on 27th Dec, 2023. The drills were conducted in a total of 21,939 facilities, including 16,601 govt. facilities and 5,338 private facilities. Over 94 pc of PSA plants and oxygen concentrators were found functional across the country while over 87 pc of ICU beds, ventilators, O2 beds and isolation beds were found in working condition.

Dr V K Paul highlighted the need for increased vigil due to the prevalence of new variants and vaccine immunity across the country currently at a modest level. He urged states to increase preparedness, including higher level of RT-PCR tests and called for increasing the coverage of precaution dose among population.

Dr Rajiv Bahl encouraged states to ramp up testing, especially RT-PCR tests and maintain precaution. He also asked them to follow the advisory sent from the Union Health Ministry and increase community awareness. He also urged states showing higher number of cases to monitor cluster of new cases and severe cases.

There was comprehensive and detailed discussion on various aspects of COVID management. States appreciated the timely review meetings chaired by the Prime Minister and the Union Health Minister and advisories from the Union Health Ministry. They assured that they will work with the Centre for effective prevention and management of COVID-19. They informed that they are maintaining vigil and are reviewing the present situation. /BI/