India asks country’s states to remain alert, prepare for COVID-19 management

By Anadolu Agency staff

NEW DELHI (AA) - India has advised states to be on alert and be prepared for coronavirus management given the "recent rise in cases globally," the Health Ministry said Friday.

Federal health minister Mansukh Mandaviya, in a meeting with states’ health ministers, urged them to strengthen the surveillance system for whole genome sequencing of positive case samples to track variants.

Mandaviya advised states to ramp up vaccination of eligible populations, especially the elderly and vulnerable population groups, according to a statement by the health ministry.

"States were requested to continue with pre-emptive and proactive approach," it said. "States also assured they will hold mock drills for the readiness of hospital infrastructure on 27th December 2022."

The meeting followed a high-level one Thursday chaired by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi where he directed officials to ramp up testing and genomic sequencing efforts.
A statement by his office after the meeting said Modi urged everyone to "follow Covid appropriate behavior at all times, especially in view of the upcoming festive season, including wearing masks in crowded public places."
Modi said precautionary doses may be encouraged, especially for vulnerable and elderly groups.

The Health Ministry has maintained that India has been able to restrict the transmission of the virus and has 1,200 cases weekly.

Ministry figures show the country as of Friday, has 3,380 active cases.
In the last several months, the country has reported a few cases of the BF.7 omicron variant, which has been reported as highly transmissible.

Late Thursday, the ministry issued new guidelines for international arrivals. Starting Dec. 24, the ministry said thermal screening "should be done in respect of all the passengers by the health officials present at the point of entry."

It also said a "sub-section (2% of the total passengers in the flight) shall undergo random post-arrival testing at the airport on arrival."