'Monitor new variant, ramp up testing': UP CM Yogi Adityanath says new Covid-19 management policy soon

UP CM Yogi told officials that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the strategy of trace, test, treat and vaccinate to prevent Covid-19 has proved successful. "Covid protocol must be strictly followed. Make people aware of wearing face masks in crowded public places like hospitals, bus and railway stations and markets. Activate the public address system," he added.

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government will formulate a fresh policy for the prevention and management of Covid-19 in consultation with the state-level health advisory committee, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has said. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed the officials to monitor the new coronavirus variant, conduct genome sequencing of fresh cases and ramp up testing.

In the meeting with Team-9, a group of ministers and senior officials constituted specially for Covid management on Thursday, the CM also emphasised on making people aware of wearing mask in crowded public places such as hospitals, buses, railway stations and markets.

CY Yogi added, "With no fresh Covid cases in the state in the last 24 hours and the situation well under control, the changing trend of Covid should be closely monitored. Medical Education and Health Department should do preparations with better coordination. The new policy will be decided in consultation with the state-level health advisory committee."

He said, "Even as the increase in new Covid cases is being seen in different countries for the last one week, the situation remains in control in Uttar Pradesh. The Covid- positivity rate of the state in December has been 0.01 per cent. At present, the total number of active cases in the state is 62. In the last 24 hours, 27,208 tests were done and not a single new patient was confirmed. During the same period, 33 people recovered."

The Chief Minister told officials that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the strategy of trace, test, treat and vaccinate to prevent Covid-19 has proved successful. "Covid protocol must be strictly followed. Make people aware of wearing face masks in crowded public places like hospitals, bus and railway stations and markets. Activate the public address system," he added.

He also said that the new variant of Covid-19 should be continuously monitored. Whatever and whenever new cases are found, their genome sequencing should be done. Daily testing should be increased. People suffering from serious, incurable diseases, and the elderly will have to take special precautions, the Chief Minister added.

Regarding rural areas, he said: "In accordance with the spirit of the Prime Minister`s mantra of `Jahan Bimar, Wahin Upchar` (providing sick people treatment closer to their homes), cooperation of village heads, Asha, Anganwadi workers and ANMs should be taken. These people have played a valuable role in the fight against Covid-19 so far. They need to contribute effectively again to track sick people with Covid symptoms in their areas and provide immediate hospital/doctor services as per the need."

The Chief Minister added that new posts of specialist doctors must be created by examining the updated requirements of medical institutions and the old posts must not be scrapped.

"It should be ensured that there is no shortage of life-saving medicines in the state. There is a need to improve the functioning of the Medical Supplies Corporation. The works of the department should be reviewed at the Health Minister`s level," he said.