Avoid overcrowding, ensure wearing of masks in crowded places: Centre to states ahead of festive season

Ahead of the festive season the Centre on Friday asked states and Union territories to take measures to avoid overcrowding and ensure adequate ventilation for indoor gatherings and wearing of masks in crowded placesIn a letter to states and UTs Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan stressed on monitoring and reporting of districtwise influenzalike illness ILI and severe acute respiratory illness SARI cases in all health facilities on a regular basis for detecting the early rising trend of casesThese cases may also be tested for Covid19 Bhushan saidEnsure higher samples for whole genome sequencing amongst positive samples of Covid19 in the community so as to enable timely detection of new variants if any in the country he wroteConsidering the upcoming festive season and new year celebrations there is need to put in place requisite public health measures and other arrangements to minimize risk of increase in transmission of the disease by maintaining and strengthening focus on testtracktreatvaccination and adherence to Covidappropriate behaviour ie use of mask hand and respiratory hygiene and adherence to physical distancing he saidBhushan asked the states to ensure adequate testing in all districts maintaining the recommended share of RTPCR and antigen tests and take stock of existing hospital capacities in terms of bed availability logistic requirements as well as need for reorientation of healthcare workers in clinical management of Covid19 to remain prepared for any surge in casesAlso read Covid MoCA issues guidelines for random testing of intl arriving passengersThis may be tested by conducting dry runs in hospitals he saidCovid19 vaccination efforts need to be bolstered by creating community awareness Special focus on increasing the coverage of precaution dose is required by all states and UTsIn terms of preparedness for upcoming festivities it is essential that all measures are put in place with relevant stakeholders like event organisers business owners market associations etc to avoid overcrowding ensure adequate ventilation especially in indoor settings wearing of masks in such places where crowds congregate he said in the letterIn the last few weeks Covid19 cases across the world have registered an increasing trajectory India however continues to show a sustained decreasing trajectory of cases since the last few months and currently 153 new cases on an average are being reported daily across the country the letter statedBhushan also stressed on effective compliance of the detailed operational guidelines for revised surveillance strategy for Covid19 as shared by the Union MinistryMeanwhile the Health ministry is mulling reintroduction of mandatory air suvidha forms with negative report of RTPCR test conducted 72 hours prior to travel or complete vaccination proof for passengers coming from China and other countries reporting high number of Covid casesA decision on this is likely to be taken next week after monitoring the global situationThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever