High-Level Corona Review Meeting as over 1,100 New Cases Reported in a Day
NEW DELHI, Mar 22: The Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a high-level meeting on Wednesday to review the Covid situation amid rise in cases in the country and also took stock of the public health preparedness, officials said.
Modi emphasised on the need for lab surveillance, genome testing and testing of all Severe Acute Respiratory Illness or SARI cases as the country witnessed an uptick in Covid-19 and influenza. Over the last 24 hours, 1,134 new coronavirus cases have been recorded, which pushed up the active cases to 7,026, according to the data from the Union Health Ministry on Wednesday morning. This is the highest number recorded since November.
Modi advised mock drills in hospitals, and a need for vigilance. He also underscored the need for maintaining respiratory hygiene and Covid-appropriate behaviour.
“Prime Minister directed officials to enhance Whole Genome Sequencing of Positive Samples with the designated INSACOG Genome Sequencing Laboratories. This will support tracking of newer variants, if any, and timely response,” read a statement from the government after the meeting.
He has also stressed on the need to continue focus on the five-fold strategy of Test-Track-Treat-Vaccination and Covid Appropriate Behaviour. The authorities, he has said, should also ensure availability of required drugs and logistics including beds for influenza and Covid-19 patients across health facilities.
Over the last two weeks, the country has seen Covid figures slowly climb, along with influenza caused by H1N1 and H3N2 viruses. The active Covid cases now comprise 0.02 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.79 per cent, the Union health ministry has said.
A total of 92.05 crore tests for detection of Covid have been conducted so far with 1,03,831 tests being conducted over the last 24 hours. The death figures climbed to 5,30,813, with five deaths. The deaths were reported from Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat, and Maharashtra while one fatality was reconciled by Kerala, the data updated by the Union Health Ministry showed.
Meanwhile, the Kerala government has sounded alert to all districts, owing to a slight increase in the number of Covid-19 cases, as the state reported 172 cases on Tuesday. Health Minister Veena George said Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam districts have more cases. ”
“There are a total of 1,026 active cases of COVID-19 and 111 people are under treatment in hospitals. All districts have been alerted,” the minister said.
The daily positivity was recorded at 1.09 per cent while the weekly positivity was pegged at 0.98 per cent.
(Manas Dasgupta)
