Lucknow: Continuing the surge in Covid cases, the total count of cases in Uttar Pradesh has gone up to 1,025. A total of 188 new cases were reported on Saturday with 52 in Gautam Buddha Nagar, followed by 27 in Ghaziabad, and 26 in Lucknow. In the state capital, four new cases each surfaced from Aliganj and Sarojini Nagar, three from Alambagh, and two from Chinhat. The number of active Covid cases in Lucknow has shot up to 177.

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In Lucknow, eight Covid patients are admitted to different hospitals -- including four at the Lok Bandhu Hospital.

At present, 60 districts have active Covid cases. Among them, a dozen districts have one case each and six districts have two cases each, according to the health department data.

Dr A.K. Singh, director infectious disease, state health department, said, "A mock drill has been planned on Monday. We shall check all the facilities that are required for the treatment of Covid patients across the state."

Since the outbreak, Uttar Pradesh has recorded 21.29 lakh Covid cases and 23,651 related deaths.

The rise in new Covid cases has prompted hospitals to prepare facilities for the treatment/admission of Covid patients.

The health department in Lucknow has asked all hospitals to prepare staff for rotation Covid duty and also identify beds and wards that shall be used for admitting the infected in case of need.

At present, over 560 oxygen plants are operational in the state at different health facilities, including community health centres. Also, liquid medical oxygen plants have been established at different medical colleges.


UP mandates Covid testing of international passengers at airports


In view of the rise in the number of Covid-19 cases across the state, the Uttar Pradesh government has issued a `high-priority` directive, instructing officials concerned to ensure that international passengers are screened at all airports.

The use of masks is also now mandatory for all people in crowded places.

As per an order issued by the state government, all samples which test positive for Covid should mandatorily be sent for genome sequencing.

"Private and government labs should send all positive Covid samples to the microbiology department at King George`s Medical University (KGMU) for whole genome sequencing," said the directive.

The guideline issued by the state secretary was sent to all divisional commissioners, district magistrates, chief medical officers, and other health officials across the state. The state government directive is in line with the guidelines issued by the Centre.

The state government order further states that the integrated Covid command centres should be activated, surveillance teams should be made active, rapid response teams should be sensitised, and `nigrani samiti` should be formed at the district level.

Also, rapid response teams should visit the residence of Covid patients within 24 hours of the sample testing positive.

At hospitals across the state, doctors and paramedical staff should be sensitised. Besides, the availability of equipment, medicine, and manpower should also be checked at hospitals.