Mock drill At Health Facilities Across India on Dec 27 To Check Covid Preparedness

On Friday, Minister Mansukh Mandaviya directed states and Union Territories to organise a mock drill across all health facilities amidst a recent surge in COVID cases worldwide mostly due to the new BF.7 Omicron strain. This step, scheduled for December 27, aims to ensure infrastructure readiness with a specific focus on oxygen plants, ventilators, logistics and human resources, PTI reported.

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Minister seeks collaborative effort

During a virtual meeting with health ministers and senior officials of states, given the recent COVID surge, he advised that the Centre and states need to work collaboratively. He asked them to replicate efforts undertaken during the previous waves for Covid prevention and management.

Referring to the high-level review meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, Mandaviya also advised states to be on alert, keep all preparedness for COVID-19 management and continue their pre-emptive and proactive approach, the health ministry said in a statement.

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He asked states to strengthen the surveillance system for whole genome sequencing of positive case samples to track variants through the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) network. This will ensure timely detection of newer variants, if any, circulating in the country, Mandaviya said.

"Focus is to be given to health facility-based sentinel surveillance, pan-respiratory virus surveillance, community-based surveillance, and sewage or wastewater surveillance. (There is a) need to collectively reinvigorate the system and remove any sense of complacency and fatigue," he said.

Preparedness for upcoming festive season

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In view of the upcoming festive season, the Union minister stressed the importance of public awareness campaigns regarding adherence to Covid-appropriate behaviour. He requested the health ministers of states to monitor and review all infrastructure's preparedness personally and ensure adequate stock of essential medicines.

Irrespective of new Covid variants, the 'Test-Track-Treat-Vaccinate and adherence to Covid-appropriate behaviour' remains a tested strategy for the disease's management, Mandaviya said.

The Union health minister also urged states and union territories to ramp up vaccination of all eligible people, particularly vulnerable groups, including the elderly. He cautioned against misinformation and said it should be ensured that factually correct information is being disseminated on time.

Surge globally, decline in India

The statement also said that states and union territories were briefed on the global COVID-19 situation and the domestic scenario. The surge in cases has been reported from countries such as China, Japan, Brazil and the United States.

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Overall, there has been a consistent decline in cases in the country, with Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana and Tamil Nadu accounting for 78 per cent of the daily new cases reported on December 22, official sources said. Eight states and four union territories currently have zero reported active cases.

Prime Minister Modi had on Thursday cautioned people against complacency and urged them to wear masks in crowded places while also directing officials to strengthen surveillance measures, especially at international airports.

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