New Delhi, September 18: Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba chaired a high-level meeting to review and discuss the COVID management and response strategy through video conference on Saturday, in the presence of Rajesh Bhushan, Union Health Secretary and Dr. V. K. Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog.
It was attended by the Chief Secretaries, Additional Chief Secretaries (Health), Principal Secretaries (Health), Municipal Commissioners, District Collectors and other senior officials of States and UTs.
The Cabinet Secretary complimented healthcare workers, Chief Medical Officers, District Magistrates and State Health Secretaries for their efforts for the landmark achievement of more than 2.5 crore vaccine doses being administered yesterday.
He however took the occasion to remind the States that there is no room for complacency. He stressed on the need to strictly enforce COVID Appropriate Behaviour (CAB).
Drawing examples from other countries that saw multiple peaks of COVID-19, he expressed concern over certain pockets in the country reporting high test positivity. He advised the State Health administrators to undertake granular analysis of their COVID trajectory, ramp up their Health Infrastructure, undertake stocking of essential medicine and augment Human Resources at the earliest, to meet any potential surge in cases.
The Union Health Secretary highlighted the emerging challenge of Serotype-II Dengue in 11 States which is associated with more cases and more complications than other forms of the disease.
The Health Secretary brought to the notice of the States/UTs that 70 districts in 15 States are a cause of concern as 34of these districts have positivity exceeding 10% and in 36 districts, the positivity is in the range of 5%-10%. In view of the forthcoming festival season, States were directed to ensure all necessary precautions and effective enforcement for avoidance of mass gathering and congested closed spaces.
To make all possible effort to avert any new upsurge, the State authorities were urged to focus on:
· Ensure compliance of COVID-appropriate behavior and observance of COVID-safe festivities
· Implementing intensive containment and active surveillance in clusters reporting high cases and not delay imposition of restrictions.
· Increased testing while maintaining RT-PCR ratio
· Prompt commissioning of PSA plants, oxygen cylinders, concentrators & ventilators
· Regular reviews for priority implementation of ECRP-II to ensure preparedness with enough headroom
· Monitor infection spread in children considering that few states have opened schools
· Monitor breakthrough infections post vaccination and analyze the emerging evidence
· Monitor mutations including sending sufficient samples for genome sequencing
· Accelerate speed and coverage of vaccination
· Take necessary measures for prevention and control of Dengue and other vector-borne diseases
