Mandaviya asks officials to stay alert amid surge in Covid cases in some countries

New Delhi: Amid the surge of Covid-19 cases in China and other countries, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday held a review meeting with experts and officials and asked them to stay alert and step up tracking of cases.

After the meeting, the Minister tweeted that "COVID is not over yet. I have directed all concerned to be alert and strengthen surveillance. We are prepared to manage any situation'"

He said that, "In view of the rising cases of #Covid19 in some countries, reviewed the situation with experts and officials today".

The secretaries of health, Ayush, department of pharmaceuticals and department of biotechnology, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Director General Rajiv Bahl, Member (Health) of NITI Aayog V K Paul and National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) Chairman N L Arora and other senior officials attended the meeting.

According to sources the discussions in the review meeting was held primarily on six key points. These include a strategy to block incoming cases at the international and domestic airports, laying down guidelines for passengers travelling from abroad, and consultation with experts on the new variant of Covid.

On Tuesday the center has directed all the States and Union territories to send samples of all Covid-19 positive cases to INSACOG labs to track new variants.

In a letter written to states and UTs which stated that, "In this context, all states are requested to ensure that as far as possible samples of all positive cases, on a daily basis, are sent to the designated INSACOG Genome Sequencing Laboratories (IGSLS) that are mapped to the States and UTs". (UNI)