After reviewing the Covid-19 situation in the country, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya in view of a sudden increase in cases in some parts of the world directed officials to be alert and strengthen surveillance.
In a recent tweet by Mandaviya, he said “In view of the rising cases of Covid-19 in some countries, reviewed the situation with experts and officials today. Covid is not over yet. I have directed all concerned to be alert and strengthen surveillance. We are prepared to manage any situation.”
The secretaries of health, department of pharmaceuticals, department of biotechnology, Ayush, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Director General Rajiv Bahl, Member (Health) of NITI Aayog Dr. V K Paul and National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAI) Chairman Dr. N K Arora attended the meeting along with the other officers.
The Union Health Ministry on Tuesday urged all states and union territories to speed up the whole genome sequencing of positive samples for Covid in order to keep track of newly discovered variants in light of the rise in cases in Japan, the United States of America, Republic of Korea, Brazil, and China.
In view of the rising cases of #Covid19 in some countries, reviewed the situation with experts and officials today.
— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) December 21, 2022
COVID is not over yet. I have directed all concerned to be alert and strengthen surveillance.
We are prepared to manage any situation. pic.twitter.com/DNEj2PmE2W
In a letter to states and UTs, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan had said such an exercise will enable timely detection of newer variants, if any, circulating in the country and will facilitate the undertaking of requisite public health measures.
After Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya’s review meeting, NITI Aayog member Dr. VK Paul urged all Indians to take the precautionary dose of the vaccine and said that masks should be used in crowded places.
“Only 27-28 percent of people have taken the precautionary doses. We appeal to others, especially senior citizens, to take a precautionary dose. Precaution dose is mandated and guided to everyone.” he said.
“Use a mask if you are in a crowded space, indoors or outdoors. This is all the more important for people with comorbidities or is of higher age,” Paul said after the meeting chaired by the health minister. On aviation, he said that no change has been ordered so far.
