Need for effective testing, comprehensive tracking: Centre tells states witnessing surge in COVID-19 cases

The states have been told to improve the overall COVID-19 testing in districts reporting a reduction in testing, increase RT- PCR tests in states and districts having high antigen testing and to refocus on surveillance and stringent containment in selected districts reporting reduced tests/high positivity and increased cases.

File Photo (ANI)

New Delhi: The Centre has told the states witnessing a surge in COVID-19 cases that there's a need for effective testing and comprehensive tracking. The Centre has also directed these states to monitor the mutant strain and clustering of cases for early hotspot identification and control.

The Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba chaired a high-level review meeting with Chief Secretaries of Maharashtra, Punjab, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Telangana and Jammu and Kashmir. These states/UT have been reporting a high active caseload in the last week. 

In the meeting, it was underlined that they need to follow effective surveillance strategies in respect of potential super spreading events. 

"Need for effective testing, comprehensive tracking, prompt isolation of positive cases and quick quarantine of close contacts were also strongly emphasized," said the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

The meeting to review and discuss the COVID-19 management and response strategy, held through video conference, was attended by the Chief Secretaries and senior health professionals of the states/UT along with the Union Health Secretary, DG ICMR, NITI Aayog Empowered Group members, and representatives from Home Ministry.

Maharashtra, Kerala, Punjab, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat have shown a surge in new cases in the last 24 hours. Maharashtra continues to report the highest daily new cases at 8,623 and is followed by Kerala with 3,792 while Punjab reported 595 new confirmed cases in the last 24 hours. 

In the last two weeks, Maharashtra has shown the highest rise in active coronavirus cases from 34,449 on February 14 to 72,530 currently.

A detailed presentation was made on the current status of COVID-19 in these states with a focus on districts reporting an increasing number of new cases, increasing trend in positivity and having a concerning testing trend. This was followed by a comprehensive review with all the states/UT. 

The Chief Secretaries briefed about the current situation in the states and their preparedness to tackle the recent spike of COVID-19 cases. They informed about the enforcement of COVID Appropriate Behavior by levying heavy fines and challans, reviewing the surveillance and containment activities closely with the District Collectors, and other steps being taken in line with the guidelines provided by MoHFW and MHA.

The Cabinet Secretary reiterated that states need to maintain a continued rigorous vigil in terms of containing the spread and not squander away the gains of the collective hard work of the last year. They were advised not to lower their guard, enforce COVID-19 Appropriate Behaviour and deal firmly with violations. 

The states were advised to take the following steps:

1. Improve the overall testing in districts reporting a reduction in testing.

2. Increase RT- PCR tests in states & districts having high antigen testing.

3. Refocus on surveillance and stringent containment in selected districts reporting reduced tests/high positivity and increased cases.

4. Monitor mutant strain and clustering of cases for early hotspot identification and control.

5. Focus on clinical management in districts reporting higher deaths.

6. Undertake priority vaccination in districts reporting higher cases.

7. Promote COVID-appropriate behavior ensure effective citizen communication to not let complacency set in, especially in light of vaccination drive entering the next phase; and enforcing stringent social distancing measures.