As Covid rises, Centre asks States to ensure availability of oxygen, isolation beds, ventilators
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The Centre has asked all the States and Union Territories to ensure availability of oxygen, isolation beds, ventilators and essential medicines amid spiraling Covid infections across the country. Director General of Health Services Dr Sunita Sharma held a series of review meetings with representatives of Indian Council of Medical Research, Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme and Central government hospitals in the national capital along with the representatives from all States and UTs on Monday and Tuesday following which the advisory on containing the spike in viral infections was issued, an official source said.
With an increase of 276 Covid cases in the last 24 hours, the tally of total active cases in the country stands at 4,302 patients. Marking an upward trend, the national capital also clocked 64 new Covid infections besides one death of a 22-year-old woman, recording the fifth fatality due to the infection in the city this year. As many as seven Covid deaths have been recorded across the country during the last 24 hours.
Presently, Kerala has 1,373 active cases, the highest in the country followed by Maharashtra with 510, Gujarat with 461 and Delhi with 457 cases. Since January 1 this year, total 44 deaths have been reported, primarily among individuals with pre-existing illnesses.
The representatives of the Disaster Management Cell, Emergency Management Response (EMR) Cell, National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), also participated in the review meetings held by DGHS. State and district surveillance units under IDSP are closely monitoring Influenza Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI), sources said.
“Testing is recommended for all admitted SARI cases and 5 per cent of ILI cases as per guidelines and positive SARI samples are sent for Whole Genome Sequencing through the ICMR VRDL network,” an official said.
Underlining that most of the cases are mild and manageable under home care, the official said, “States have been instructed to ensure availability of oxygen, isolation beds, ventilators, and essential medicines.” A mock drill assessing oxygen supply systems (PSA plants, LMO tanks, MGPS lines) was conducted on June 2. Facility-level preparedness mock drills commenced on Wednesday and will continue on Thursday.
According to the advisory, people have been exhorted to practice hand hygiene, cough etiquette, and avoid crowded places when unwell and that individuals with acute respiratory illness should self-monitor and seek medical care if symptoms worsen. Trusted sources such as the health ministry’s website and PIB releases should be followed to avoid misinformation and rumours.
“Union health ministry continues to closely monitor the situation and remains committed to ensuring public health safety through timely interventions and effective communication,” officials added.
