Boost testing, hospital infrastructure for next 3 weeks: Centre to UTs

Ladakh, J&K and Lakshadweep administrations pointed to the rise in cases due to large numbers of travellers.

Union home secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla and Union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan on Tuesday reviewed the Covid-19 situation in Union territories and asked the administrations to augment the testing and hospital infrastructure in advance for the next three weeks.

Samples being collected for the Covid-19 test. (HT file photo for representation)

The high-level meeting to review and discuss the Covid-19 status and the management and response strategy with chief secretaries of UTs was held through video-conference, which was also attended by Dr VK Paul, Member (health) NITI Aayog, Dr Balram Bhargava, director general, ICMR, as well as chiefs of police of UTs.

Bhalla pointed out during the meeting the steep growth in the number of cases all across the country – from 20,000 cases reported on January 1, India has almost 10 times more cases (more than 200,000 cases) being reported daily since April 15.

During their presentation, the Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir and Lakshadweep administrations pointed to the rise in cases due to large numbers of inbound travellers. Lakshadweep has seen a sharp spike after April 14, primarily due to travel.

Most UTs have imposed movement restrictions, including night curfew and restriction of intra-island movement in the island UTs.

Paul pointed out the criticality of the next three weeks for Covid-19 response measures. “The UT administrators were advised to plan in advance for three weeks.”