Covid-19: Amid rise in cases, PM Modi holds high-level meet to review preparedness

Covid cases in India today: As India recorded a sudden rise in the number of Covid-19 cases on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a high-level meeting to review the situation and public health preparedness.

A release stated that comprehensive presentation was made at the meeting covering the global Covid-19 situation including the rising cases in India by Secretary, Health, MoHFW. It aded that the Prime Minister was briefed that India has been witnessing a slight rise in new cases with average daily cases reported as 888 and weekly positivity reported as 0.98% in the week ending 22nd March. However, 1.08 lakh daily average cases have been reported globally during the same week.

He was informed that availability and prices of 20 main Covid Drugs, 12 other drugs, 8 buffer drugs and 1 influenza drug is being monitored. He was also apprised on the influenza situation in the country particularly with respect to higher number of cases of H1N1 and H3N2 being noted in last few months.

PM emphasized on Covid appropriate behaviour including wearing of masks in hospital premises by both patients, health professionals and health workers. And he stressed that wearing of masks is advisable when senior citizens and those with co-morbidities visit crowded areas.

He directed that effective monitoring of IRI/SARI cases, and testing for Influenza, SARS-CoV-2 and Adenovirus be followed up with states. Further, Prime Minister stressed the need to ensure availability of required Drugs and Logistics for Influenza and Covid-19 across health facilities alongwith availability of sufficient beds and health human resources.

The release further said that the prime minister highlighted that Covid-19 pandemic is far from over and there is a need to monitor the status across the country on regular basis. He also advised to continue focusing on 5-fold strategy of Test-Track-Treat-Vaccination and Covid Appropriate Behaviour, enhance Lab Surveillance and  testing of all Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases. 

Prime minister also exhorted citizens to follow respiratory hygiene and to adhere to Covid appropriate behavior in crowded public places.

Covid cases in India today

According to Union Health Ministry data, India recorded 1,134 new coronavirus cases, while the active cases increased to 7,026. The death toll climbed to 5,30,813 with one death each reported by Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated.

The daily positivity was recorded at 1.09 per cent while the weekly positivity was pegged at 0.98 per cent. The Covid case tally was recorded at 4.46 crore (4,46,98,118).

The active cases now comprise 0.02 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.79 per cent, the ministry said.

A total of 92.05 crore tests for detection of Covid have been conducted so far with 1,03,831 being tests conducted in the last 24 hours.

The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,41,60,279 while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.19 per cent.

According to the ministry's website, 220.65 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide vaccination drive.

Covid cases increase in Kerala, government to sound alerts 

Covid-19 infections increased in Kerala slightly prompting the state government to sound alerts to all districts on Wednesday.

In a statement, Health Minister Veena George said there has been a little increase in the number of Covid-19 cases with the state reporting 172 cases on Tuesday.

She said Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam districts have more virus cases.

"There are a total of 1,026 active cases of COVID-19 and 111 people are under treatment in hospitals. All districts have been alerted," the minister said.

She said the districts have also been directed to strengthen surveillance. A high-level meeting, chaired by George, also assessed the Covid situation in the state.

(with PTI inputs)

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