https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Union Health Minister Reviews COVID-19 Situation, Chaired High Profile Meeting in View of Rising Cases

States/UTs have been requested to ramp up testing and refer large number of samples of COVID-19 positive cases and pneumonia-like illness to INSACOG Genome Sequencing Laboratories (IGSLs) on a daily basis, for sequencing, to track new variants, if any
Indian Masterminds Stories

Amid increasing cases of a new variant of Covid virus in the country, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya chaired a high-level meeting to review the COVID-19 situation in India.

He discussed the preparedness of the public health system for surveillance, containment and management of COVID-19 in view of the recent spike in cases in some states.

He was joined by Prof. S P Singh Baghel and Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar, Union Ministers of State for Health and Family Welfare. Dr V K Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog was also present.

Underlining the challenge posed by the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in some countries across the world such as China, Brazil, Germany and United States, Union Health Minister noted the importance of being prepared and remaining alert against new and emerging strains of COVID-19, especially in view of the upcoming festive season. Underlying and reiterating that COVID is not over yet, he requested states to monitor emerging evidences of COVID-19 cases, symptoms and case severity to plan appropriate public health response.

Dr Mandaviya stressed the need for collective efforts between the Centre and the States to deal with the emerging situation in the spirit of “Whole of Government” approach. He directed for strengthening the surveillance system for whole genome sequencing of positive case samples to track the variants through Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) network to ensure timely detection of newer variants, circulating in the country. This would facilitate undertaking of appropriate public health measures in a timely manner, he noted.

States/UTs have been requested to ramp up testing and refer large number of samples of COVID-19 positive cases and pneumonia-like illness to INSACOG Genome Sequencing Laboratories (IGSLs) on a daily basis, for sequencing, to track new variants, if any.

The Union Health Minister urged all the states to remain alert, increase surveillance and ensure adequate stock of medicines, oxygen cylinders and concentrators, ventilators and vaccines, He asked officials to undertake mock drills every three months at both the Central and State levels to assess functionality of PSA plants, Oxygen concentrators and cylinders, ventilators, etc., and encouraged the sharing of best practices.

He also urged states to create awareness on respiratory hygiene and ensure dissemination of factually correct information and counter fake news to manage infodemic and mitigate any panic. The Union Health Minister urged States/UTs to share information on cases, tests, positivity, etc., in real time on the COVID portal to enable timely monitoring and prompt public health measures. He assured the states of all support from the Centre.

Through a presentation, Shri Sudhansh Pant, Secretary, Union Health Ministry briefed the Union Health Minister on the global COVID19 situation and the domestic scenario. It was informed that while active COVID cases in India are significantly less compared to the global scenario, in the last two weeks there has been a steep rise in active cases from 115 on 6th Dec 2023 to 614 till date.

It was also noted that 92.8% of the cases are home isolated, indicating mild illness. No increase in hospitalization rates have been witnessed due to COVID-19, the cases that are hospitalized are due to other medical conditions – COVID-19 is an incidental finding. A rise in daily positivity rate has been observed in a few states like Kerala, Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Karnataka.

On the new JN.1 variant of SARS-CoV-2, it was informed that the variant is currently under intense scientific scrutiny, but not a cause of immediate concern. No clustering of cases has been observed in India due to JN.1 and all the cases were found to be mild and all of them have recovered without any complications.

Dr. V K Paul reiterated the need for a whole-of-government approach to tackle with the challenge posed by the surge in COVID cases and the emergence of a new variant. He informed that the scientific community in India is closely investigating the new variant but stressed on the need for states to ramp up testing and strengthen their surveillance systems.

Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Secretary, Department of Health Research and DG, ICMR informed that ICMR is currently working on genome sequencing of the new JN.1 variant. He urged states to monitor the COVID-19 scenario and increase RT-PCR tests but noted that there is no cause for panic.

State Health Ministers appreciated the support and guidance received from the Centre. They assured to increase testing and surveillance measures in view of the rising cases in some states.

Ms. L S Changsan, Additional Secretary, Union Health Ministry; senior officials from the Health Ministry, ICMR, and NCDC were alsopresent in the meeting.


Indian Masterminds Stories
Related Stories
NEWS
Suspended-IAS-Abhishek-Prakash-CM-YOGI
Departmental Inquiry Initiated Against Suspended IAS Abhishek Prakash
GAIL PSU
GAIL Launches ‘GAIL Pankh’ to Support Start-Ups
nmdc resized
NMDC Achieves Record 44.04 MnT Production and Highest-Ever Q4 Sales in FY25
Reserve-Bank-of-India_RBI_resized
RBI Reports 98.21% of Rs 2000 Notes Returned, Only Rs 6,366 Crore in Circulation
NHPC_resized_2
NHPC Begins Commercial Operations for 600 MW at Parbati-II Hydroelectric Project
BEL Bharat Electronics Limited
BEL Achieves Record Rs 23,000 Crore Turnover in FY 2024-25
UPPCS PSC New
UP DPC Meeting to Promote 27 PCS Officers to IAS Cadre; Central Govt Allocates Rs 236 Crore for Home Guard Reimbursement
Surendra-Singh-Yadav IPS
IPS Surendra Singh Yadav Appointed Deputy Inspector General in BSF, Relieved from Chandigarh DGP Post
Videos
Padmapani Bora IRS
The Rise of Assam as India’s Most Exciting Tourist Spot | Exclusive with IRS Padmapani Bora
Sajjan Yadav, IAS
The Policy Maker Who Turned India’s Vaccine Story and UPSC Struggles into Bestsellers
WhatsApp Image 2025-03-21 at 14.33
Training The Cops In Mastering The Technology Used By Criminals
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Suspended-IAS-Abhishek-Prakash-CM-YOGI
Departmental Inquiry Initiated Against Suspended IAS Abhishek Prakash
GAIL PSU
GAIL Launches ‘GAIL Pankh’ to Support Start-Ups
Videos
Padmapani Bora IRS
Sajjan Yadav, IAS
WhatsApp Image 2025-03-21 at 14.33
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT