As many as 1,716 International flights have been screened and 5,666 samples collected for Covid-19 testing so far even as over 21,000 health facilities participated in the mock drill to ensure operational readiness, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister, Dr P K Mishra, was informed on Saturday as he chaired a high-level meeting with senior officials and experts to review the status of Covid in the country and the compliance of directions given by the PM on December 22.
He was apprised of the evolving global scenario of the pandemic with spikes in Covid observed in China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Brazil, and the measures taken against this backdrop in India. From 1st January 2023 all International Arrivals from China, Singapore, Hongkong, Republic of Korea, Thailand and Japan will undergo mandatory pre-departure RT-PCR testing (to be conducted in 72 hours prior to undertaking the journey). Guidelines for International Arrivals have been revised on 29th December, and Air Suvidha Portal has been made operational with a provision to allow passengers to submit/upload negative RT-PCR test reports as well as to submit self-declaration form. As directed by the Prime Minister, detailed guidelines for 2% random screening of international passengers on arrival were issued and 2% random samplingwas initiated from 24th Dec 2022.
Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya chaired a virtual review meeting with Health Ministers of States on Covid-19 a day after the PM’s directions with the focus on enhancing awareness about Covid-appropriate behaviour, strengthening of surveillance including ramping up of testing across the country and uptake of precautionary doses, he was informed.
It was informed that as per the PM’s directions, mock drill across all health facilities was conducted with participation of all States and Union Territories to ensure operational readiness of Covid- dedicated facilities with specific focus on oxygen plants, ventilators, logistics and human resources. As many as 21,097 facilities conducted the mock drill, of which 16,108 were government facilities. The Union Health Minister personally reviewed the preparedness at Safdurjung Hospital, New Delhi.
Monitoring of cases of SARI, ILI and similar diseases to identify early warning signals has started in states, and a weekly report for the same is being sent by states to Union Health Ministry.
During the review meeting, it was informed that strengthening of whole genome sequencing (WGS)and ensuring that larger number of samples are sent from across the country to INSACOG Network is being done, as per the directions of the PM. Around 500 samples received during December 2022 are currently being genome sequenced by INSACOG Labs across the country.
Mandaviya held a meeting with representatives of pharma companies and senior officials to review and availability of medicines, and monitor their stocks and prices on 29th Dec 2022.Pharma companies were asked to keep a close watch on global supply chain scenario, and to ensure adequate stocks and availability of all drugs including COVID drugs. As per directions, Ministry of Commerce has been asked to monitor ongoing exports of medicinal products and equipment to China.
The status of COVID vaccination was reviewed with officials and experts. It was informed that more than 220 crore doses of COVID vaccine have been administered, of which 102.56 crore 1st dose (97%) and 95.13 crore 2nd dose (90%) have been given so far to the eligible beneficiaries. Experts present at the meeting discussed issues regarding research of vaccines and their manufacturing in India.
Moreover, advisory has been issued by AYUSH Ministry to encourage people to use AYUSH practices to strengthen their immunity and as a preventive measure as was done during earlier waves.States/UTs requested for wide dissemination of AYUSH Advisories, guidelines and procurement and distribution of AYUSH kits, funds available under National AYUSH Mission.