New Delhi, June 13:
Amid the fourth wave scare, the Centre on Monday (June 13, 2022) warned that the “Covid-19 is not over yet” and urged States to focus on the vaccination coverage. While chairing a video conference meeting with Health Ministers and senior officials of States and Union Territories (UTs) to review the progress of the vaccination exercise “HarGharDastak 2.0 campaign”, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya highlighted increased case positivity in some districts.
“Covid-19 is not over yet. There are reports of rising cases of Covid-19 in some states. It is important at this time to be alert and not forget Covid Appropriate behaviour (CAB), such as wearing masks and maintaining physical distance to prevent the spread of the infection,” Mandaviya stressed.
The Union Health Minister also stated that increased and timely testing will enable the early identification of Covid-19 cases and help to curb the spread of the infection among the community.
He urged States/UTs to continue and strengthen the surveillance and focus on genome sequencing for identifying new mutants/variants in the country. Mandaviya said that the five-fold strategy of Test, Track, Treat, Vaccination & Adherence to Covid Appropriate Behavior (CAB) needs to be continued and monitored by States/UTs.
States were also urged to focus on implementing the Operational Guidelines for Revised Surveillance Strategy for Covid-19 which focuses on surveillance of incoming international travellers and surveillance through health facilities, labs, communities etc.
