Principal secretary holds high-level meeting amid spike in COVID-19 cases

In the wake of rising cases of COVID-19 across India, Dr PK Mishra Principal Secretary to Prime Minister chaired a high-level meeting on April 19, to assess the COVID-19 situation in the country with a focus on the status of preparedness of health infrastructure and logistics such as drugs and vaccination campaign in the country.

The meeting was attended by Rajiv Gauba, Cabinet Secretary; Dr Vinod Paul, Member NITI Aayog; T.V. Somanathan, Finance Secretary; Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, S Aparna, Secretary Pharmaceuticals; Rajiv Bansal, Secretary, Civil Aviation; Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, AYUSH; Rajiv Bahl, Secretary DHR and DG ICMR; Rajesh S Gokhale, Secretary Biotechnology and Apurva Chandra, Secretary, Information and Broadcasting.

During the meeting, a comprehensive presentation was made by Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary, Health and Family Welfare providing an overview of the global COVID-19 situation. 

He highlighted that India has been witnessing a rapid increase in the number of Covid-19 cases with the majority of cases being reported in 8 states (Kerala, Delhi, Maharashtra, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Rajasthan). 

''Further, the sudden increase in the positivity was also highlighted along with the status of tests being conducted in the country. A detailed analysis of Active cases within these 8 states were presented and it was highlighted that approximately 92 per cent of the cases are under home isolation,'' an official statement said.

As per the statement, the presentation also provided an overview of the Genome Sequencing of different variants since January 2023 and noted the proportion of circulating variants in India. 

''The status of vaccination was discussed, followed by drug availability and infrastructure preparedness across the country. As per directions of the Prime Minister, a nationwide mock drill for the assessment of functional infrastructure was conducted and the status of the Mock drill was presented to participants. Further, the expenditure of COVID-19 vaccination programme and budget provisions for drugs and vaccine raw materials were also reviewed,'' it added.

Mishra also informed that states have already been advised that they may take steps for procurement of requisite Covid vaccine doses directly from the manufacturers at their end without any prior approvals from the Union Ministry of Health. 

''Private Hospitals situated in the States may also directly procure such vaccines from the manufacturer. These vaccines once procured may be administered as per the existing Covid vaccination guidelines,'' he added.

After the detailed presentation, Mishra highlighted that for managing localized surges it is essential that sufficient health infrastructure should be available at a sub-district level and the same may be ensured in consultation with States. 

He also further exhorted that the advisories for guiding States should be assessed based on evolving scenarios and updated accordingly.

Further, the attendees deliberated that it is critical to focus on the identification of emerging hotspots and States should monitor trends of ILI/SARI cases, send sufficient samples for testing of Covid-19, and ramp up Whole Genome Sequencing.

Mishra further stressed that the time-tested 5-fold strategy of Test-Track-Treat-Vaccination & adherence COVID Appropriate Behaviour must continue to be implemented and is equally crucial to promote awareness within the community regarding COVID appropriate behaviour and caution citizens against complacency.

He also advised officials to maintain a strict vigil on the Covid-19 situation and take necessary actions to contain the COVID-19 spread.

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