India Issues Urgent Advisory Amidst Surging Covid Cases

In response to the alarming spike in Covid-19 cases across India, the Centre issued a crucial advisory on Monday, urging all states to step up their efforts in combating the pandemic. According to data from the Union Health Ministry, India reported 260 new coronavirus infections in the last 24 hours.

India Battles Covid Surge; Detects JN.1 Variant.

In a letter addressed to the Health Secretaries of all states and Union Territories, the government emphasized the need for constant vigilance and prompt action to curb the spread of the virus. States were directed to closely monitor and report district-wise Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) and Influenza-like Illness (ILI) cases on a regular basis.

The advisory highlighted several key measures that states should implement immediately:

Public Health Measures: States were advised to implement necessary public health measures and arrangements to minimize the risk of Covid-19 transmission.

Compliance with Operational Guidelines: States were urged to ensure effective compliance with detailed operational guidelines for the revised surveillance strategy, as provided by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Testing and Reporting: The Centre stressed the importance of adequate testing, including a higher number of RT-PCR tests. States were instructed to report and monitor district-wise ILI and SARI cases regularly, using the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) portal.

Genome Sequencing: States were advised to send positive samples for genome sequencing to INSACOG laboratories to enable timely detection of new variants, considering the recent detection of the JN.1 variant in Kerala.

Community Awareness: States were encouraged to actively promote community awareness and seek continued public support in managing Covid-19, emphasizing adherence to respiratory hygiene.

The advisory comes in the wake of India detecting its first case of the JN.1 variant in Kerala. The 79-year-old patient with mild Influenza-like symptoms has fully recovered. Kerala Health Minister Veena George reassured the public, stating that the JN.1 variant had been detected months ago in Indian passengers screened at Singapore Airport. While causing a surge in infections worldwide, health authorities remain vigilant, especially given its spread to over 20 countries since its identification in Luxembourg.

The government's advisory underscores the critical need for proactive measures and collaboration between public and private health facilities to effectively manage the evolving situation.