The Union Health Secretary, has issued a letter to States and Union Territories (UTs), emphasizing the crucial need for sustained vigilance in managing the evolving COVID situation in the country. A press release was issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) dated December 18, 2023.
The Ministry has urged for enhanced vigilance due to the surge in COVID-19 cases in certain States and the identification of the first case of the new JN.1 variant of the virus in India.
Highlighting the successful collaboration between the Centre and State Governments that has maintained a sustained trajectory at low rates, the Health Secretary emphasized the ongoing challenges in public health due to the continued circulation of the COVID-19 virus.
Key strategies outlined by the Union Health Secretary include:
- Festive Season Preparations: States were advised to implement necessary public health measures and arrangements to minimize the risk of increased transmission during the upcoming festive season. Adherence to respiratory hygiene practices was emphasized to mitigate the spread of the virus.
- Compliance with Operational Guidelines: States were urged to ensure effective compliance with the detailed operational guidelines for the revised surveillance strategy for COVID-19, as provided by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
- Monitoring and Reporting of Cases: States were directed to monitor and report Influenza-like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases district-wise in all health facilities regularly. This information should be submitted on the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) portal to detect early rising trends in cases.
- Testing Guidelines Adherence: States were advised to ensure adequate testing in all districts according to COVID-19 testing guidelines, maintaining the recommended proportion of RT-PCR and Antigen tests.
- Genome Sequencing and Variant Detection: States were encouraged to increase the number of RT-PCR tests and send positive samples for genome sequencing to Indian SARS COV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) laboratories. This step aims to enable the timely detection of new variants, if any, in the country.
- Health Facility Preparedness: States were instructed to actively engage all public and private health facilities in a drill conducted by the Union Health Ministry. This measure is aimed at assessing their preparedness and response capacities.
- Community Awareness: States were urged to promote community awareness, seeking continued support in managing COVID-19. Emphasis was placed on the importance of adherence to respiratory hygiene practices by the public.
The MoHFW has provided a guide for States and UTs to strengthen their preparedness and response mechanisms, ensuring a collective and proactive approach in the ongoing battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.
