Dr Harsh Vardhan directs seven states to increase Covid testing
Harsh Vardhan advised the states to focus on higher testing, especially in districts with higher positivity rate, mandatory Rapid Antigen Test of symptomatic negatives, focus on high risk groups and vulnerable population for SARI (severe acute respiratory illness) and ILI (influenza like illness) surveillance which can give indication of infection, increase contact tracing of close contacts of positive cases, proper follow up and monitoring of those in home isolation, especially the vulnerable groups.;
New Delhi: Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan has asked four northeastern states, Tripura, Manipur, Meghalaya, and Mizoram, to increase testing on high-risk groups and vulnerable population to check the spread of Covid-19, officials said on Thursday.
According to the officials, Harsh Vardhan, during a meeting via video conferencing with seven states, including the four northeastern states, said that active cases are on the rise in Manipur and higher positivity in the state is indicative of hidden transmission.
"With 70 percent of cases concentrated in Mizoram capital Aizawl, the state is witnessing a rise in active cases. Tripura and Meghalaya too are witnessing higher deaths (37 per cent) in the active age groups (45-60 years), which are preventable," the Health Minister said.
Harsh Vardhan advised the states to focus on higher testing, especially in districts with higher positivity rate, mandatory Rapid Antigen Test of symptomatic negatives, focus on high risk groups and vulnerable population for SARI (severe acute respiratory illness) and ILI (influenza-like illness) surveillance which can give indication of infection, increase contact tracing of close contacts of positive cases, proper follow-up and monitoring of those in home isolation, especially the vulnerable groups.
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