• Centre warns these five states over increase in covid-19 cases

    Health
    Centre warns these five states over increase in covid-19 cases
    Bhushan also emphasized the importance of following the five-step strategy of Test-Track-Treat-Vaccination and Adherence to Covid-19 appropriate behavior.

    Digital Desk: On Friday, the Centre wrote to five states – Delhi, Haryana, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Mizoram in response to an increase in Covid-19 cases last week, requesting that they keep a close eye on this situation and take appropriate action if necessary.

    Noting the sharp decline in Covid-19 cases, with the country reporting less than 1,000 new cases per day for the past few days, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan advised states in a letter to continue monitoring the spread of infection and take the necessary steps for prompt and effective Covid-19 management.

    Bhushan also emphasized the importance of following the five-step strategy of Test-Track-Treat-Vaccination and Adherence to Covid-19 appropriate behavior.


    "It is necessary that the state keeps a close eye on any areas of concern and take pre-emptive action to control any emerging spread of infection.  Testing and surveillance are still necessary to track the virus, its spread, and evolution," the letter stated.

    According to the letter, Kerala reported 2,321 new cases in the previous week (ending April 8), accounting for 31.8 percent of all new cases in India. The positivity rate in the state has also risen in the last week, from 13.45 percent to 15.53 percent.

    Mizoram reported 814 new cases in the previous week (ending April 8), accounting for 11.16 percent of all new cases in India. The positivity rate in the state has also risen in the last week, from 14.38 percent to 16.48 percent.

    On the other hand, Maharashtra reported 794 new cases in the previous week (ending April 8), accounting for 10.9% of all new cases in India. The positivity rate in the state also has increased in the last week, from 0.39 percent to 0.43 percent.

    The number of weekly new cases in Delhi has increased from 724 in the week ending (April 1) to 826 in the last week (April 8), accounting for 11.33 percent of all new cases in India. The positivity rate in the state has also increased in the last week, from 0.51 percent to 1.25 percent.

    Haryana reported an increase in weekly new cases from 367 in the previous week ending (April 1) to 416 in the most recent week ending (April 8), accounting for 5.70% of India's new cases. The positivity rate in the state has also risen in the last week, from 0.51 percent to 1.06 percent.

    Notably, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has promised to keep providing the necessary assistance to states to bring the pandemic under control.