​Maharashtra & 4 other states to continue monitoring COVID spread in wake of slight case rise

Amid the persisting lowering grade of COVID-19 infection in India, the Union Health Ministry has asked 5 states to continue monitoring the infection spread in wake of a slight case spike. As per reports, the Centre has written to the governments of Kerala, Haryana, Maharashtra, Delhi and Mizoram to undertake prompt steps to curb the chances of another high-volume transmission. The precautionary notice is essential to retain the healing pandemic trends witnessed across the country over the past 2 months.

Test-track-Treat-Vaccination order in motion

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The Centre has written a letter to the COVID-19 control task forces in Maharashtra, Kerala, Delhi, Haryana and Mizoram to conduct regular monitoring and follow-up actions in areas that are reporting a marginal uptick in cases. Union Health Secretary, Rajesh Bhushan has directed all 5 states to continue monitoring the clusters of new Covid-19 cases and ensure adequate testing while undertaking necessary steps in areas reporting high case positivity.

The states have also been asked to follow the strategy of Test-Track-Treat-Vaccination and adherence to Covid appropriate behaviour, along with the vaccination of all eligible people. Monitoring influenza-like illnesses and SARI cases in all health facilities on a regular basis has also been listed for early detection of COVID or other infections has also been prescribed.

Need to maintain COVID protocols

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A preventive strategy, this protocol is expected to limit the growing infection rate in its nascent stages, without hampering India's progress towards pandemic recovery. "A sustained and significant decline in the number of Covid-19 cases has been observed in India over the past 2 months, with the country reporting less than 1,000 daily new cases for the past few days. Further, weekly positivity rate has remained below 1%" Rajesh Bhushan, Union Health Secretary said in the letter.

The notice sent to Principal Secretary (Health), Delhi, details that there has been an increase in the weekly new cases from 724 new cases in the week ending April 1, to 826 new cases by Friday. This nearly accounts for 11.33% of India's new cases. On the other hand, Maharashtra is surrounded by the suspected emergence of COVID XE, a new variant of the coronavirus. It thus becomes essential, at this juncture, to ensure all preventive measures are followed strictly.