E-Paper
At high-level review meet, PM Modi advises Covid appropriate behaviour, vigil
At the review meeting, PM Modi was briefed about a slight rise in new Covid cases and was apprised on the Influenza situation in the country.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday chaired a high-level review meeting to assess the coronavirus disease and Influenza situation in the country where he stressed the need to follow Covid-appropriate behavior and maintain respiratory hygiene. He also emphasized the need for lab surveillance, genome testing, and testing of all Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases.
At the review meeting, PM Modi was briefed about a slight rise in new Covid cases and was apprised on the Influenza situation in the country, particularly the higher number of H1N1 and H3N2 infections detected in the last few months.
Also Read | China approves its first mRNA vaccine for Covid-19
"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 government statement.
He stressed that wearing of masks is advisable when senior citizens and those with comorbidities visit crowded areas. He also underscored that Covid-19 pandemic is far from over and there is a need to monitor the status across the country on a regular basis.
Read | Delhi hospitals directed to ramp up testing as Covid, flu see uptick
The high-level review meeting comes against the backdrop of influenza cases and rise of Covid cases in the past two weeks. India has recorded 1,134 fresh infections, with the active cases rising to 7,026, according to the Union health ministry data updated on Wednesday.
The Covid-related death toll climbed to 5,30,813 with five more fatalities. One death each has been reported by Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat and Maharashtra while one fatality was reconciled by Kerala. The daily positivity was recorded at 1.09 per cent while the weekly positivity was pegged at 0.98 per cent.
The Union health ministry last week wrote to six states that were reporting a rise in Covid cases, suggesting that a possible localised spread of coronavirus could be causing the increase in cases.
