Covid cases on decline, but don't let guard down: Mandaviya

There is still a need to be vigilant and not lower the guard even though the active cases of COVID-19 in most of the states and the positivity rate have shown a fall in the last two weeks, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Saturday.

Interacting with the health ministers of five eastern states, Mandaviya highlighted vaccination as a critical tool for pandemic management. “While the active cases in most of the states and the positivity rate have shown a fall in the last two week, we still need to be Satark (vigilant) and not lower our guard”, he said.

Mandaviya urged the states to monitor the case positivity rate on a daily basis and increase RT-PCR testing rates as most of the states exhibited lower share of PTPCR tests. The states were also advised to keep a close watch on the number of hospitalisations and deaths. 

“It is important to analyse at the state level the proportion of vaccinated and unvaccinated of the hospitalised cases, the deaths and those on ventilators and oxygen support,” Mandaviya said.

Health ministers and senior officials of Odisha, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and West Bengal attended the online interaction. Union Minister of State for Health Bharati Pravin Pawar and NITI Aayog member (health) Dr V.K. Paul were also present at the meeting which was held to review the public health preparedness for containment and management of Covid-19 and progress of national vaccination campaign.

Mandaviya urged all states to fully and effectively utilise the ECRP-II funds for strengthening the existing healthcare infrastructure and create new as per requirement. As the located funds under ECRP-II will lapse on March 31, the states were asked to review the progress on a regular basis, “as this healthcare infrastructure will not only be utilised during the present pandemic, but will serve the people in the future too”. Mandaviya also reminded them to complete installation and commissioning of the PSA plants, LMO storage tanks and MGPS expeditiously.

The health minister advised to states to accelerate vaccination of all eligible population, especially of the 15-17 age group and those whose second dose is due. He also highlighted  the importance of tele-consultation through platforms such as eSanjeevani.

“There was comprehensive and detailed discussion on various aspects of COVID management including ramping up of hospital infrastructure; increased testing; stringent restrictive measures for breaking the chain of transmission; and stress on Covid-appropriate behaviour among the masses. States shared their best practices at the review meeting,” the union health ministry said in a statement.