The Centre has asked 10 States—Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, Gujarat, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir— that account for at least 89 per cent of total Covid-19 deaths in the country in the last two weeks to ramp up their efforts to proactively limit COVID transmission and keep the mortality rate below 1 per cent.
The States/UT have been suggested a slew of measures such as focus on effective containment, contact tracing and surveillance, ensuring that at least in 80 per cent of new positive cases, all close contacts should be traced and tested within 72 hours, said a senior official from the Union Health Ministry.
He said that Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba held a video conference with the Chief Secretaries and Health Secretaries of nine States and one UT on Thursday alongwith the Union Health Secretary, DG ICMR and Member (Health), NITI Aayog to review and discuss the Covid management and response strategy in these States/UT.
Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan made a detailed presentation on the current status of Covid-19 in these States/UT, with a focus on districts reporting high case fatality and the need to refine as well as strengthen approach and strategies relating to testing, contact tracing, surveillance, containment, home isolation, availability of Ambulances, hospital beds, oxygen, treatment protocols, etc.
“It was observed that out of the total deaths in the country in the last two weeks, 89% of deaths are in these 10 States/UT and hence, these States/UT need to have continued and rigorous vigil so as to contain the spread of infection as well as take steps to reduce fatalities,” said the official.
The States/UT were advised to proactively take steps towards reducing case fatality to less than 1% across all districts focusing on effective containment, contact tracing and surveillance, ensuring that at least in 80 per cent of new positive cases, all close contacts should be traced and tested with 72 hours
The States have also been asked to ensure a minimum of140 tests per million per day in all districts while targeting a positivity/confirmation rate of less than 5 per cent.
Regular monitoring of home isolation patients (tele-calling and home visits) and ensuring timely admission to healthcare facility if SPO2 level falls below the designated level, putting in public domain the availability of beds and ambulances across COVID facilities while significantly reducing ambulance response time, monitoring week-wise fatality rates for each health facility with particular focus on vulnerable patients (Comorbid, patients above 60 years’ age) have been advised.
The States have also been asked to focus on behavioral change communication promoting Covid appropriate behaviour consisting of social distancing, wearing of masks, hand hygiene, cough etiquettes etc.