NEW DELHI: Taking note of the rising cases of COVID globally, Union Health Ministry has given a set of directions to the state. Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, who chaired a virtual meeting with the health ministers of the states, Principal Secretaries, Additional Chief Secretaries and Information Commissioners, said that the country needs to be on the alert and be fully prepared for COVID management.

The meeting was held in view of the recent upsurge in cases in some countries like China, Japan, Brazil and the United States in the presence of Union Minister of State for Health Bharati Pravin Pawar, NITI Aayog member V K Paul to review the public health preparedness for containment and management of COVID-19 and progress of national COVID-19 vaccination campaign.

According to an official statement, states were requested to continue with a pre-emptive and proactive approach.

"Strengthen the surveillance system for whole genome sequencing of positive case samples to track the variants through the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) network to ensure timely detection of newer variants, if any, circulating in the country. Focus is to be given to health facility-based sentinel surveillance; pan-respiratory virus surveillance; community-based surveillance; and sewage/wastewater surveillance," the minister stated in the meeting.

He also emphasized the "need to collectively reinvigorate the system and remove any sense of complacency and fatigue".

"Irrespective of the new COVID variants, 'Test-Track-Treat-Vaccinate and adherence to COVID appropriate behaviour' continue to remain the tested strategy for COVID management as this would facilitate the undertaking of appropriate public health measures," the Union minister said.

Along with monitoring those with fever and breathing problems, the states and union territories were asked to conduct Covid tests if required. States and Union Territories were also requested to expeditiously increase the rate of testing. The directive also states that people should wear a mask in public places, maintain social distancing, wash hands and use sanitiser.

In view of the upcoming festive season, Manadaviya stressed the importance of public awareness campaigns regarding adherence to Covid's appropriate behaviour.

Mandaviya asked the State Health Ministers to personally monitor and review the preparedness of all infrastructure and ensure adequate stock of essential medicines.