The Union Health Secretary has written to Chhattisgarh, urging the State Government to take immediate steps to curb the spike in COVID-19 cases. According to information, similar letters have been shot to Maharashtra, Kerala and West Bengal as these states arereporting an upsurge in the number of daily new cases in the recent days. These four states comprise 59% of the total active cases in country. These states have been advised to maintain a ‘strict vigil’ and to take steps to keep a check on the rising cases, especially in view of the new strain of the virus being observed in certain countries which has also been reported in a few States in India. The Health Secretary has drawn the attention of the States to the low and declining testing rates in States, stating that any laxity at this crucial junction may squander the results of our collective actions in containing the transmission.They have been advised to analyse the surge at the district and sub-district levels to understand the reasons for this rise and plan adequate measures proactively to curb the same. Aggressive implementation of the ‘Test-Track-Treat’ strategy adopted by the country has been strongly advised now more than ever by the Union Health Secretary. The health authorities in the States have also been advised to proactively promote wearing of masks and other COVID appropriate behaviours even while the vaccination drive is about to begin. It is important to ensure that there is no complacency in the collective efforts in containment and management of CIOVID-19, the Health Secretary has strongly reiterated.
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