In his letter, Bhushan asked the eight states to strengthen Covid-19 surveillance in all districts to improve community awareness and maintain a strict vigil.
“India has been witnessing a consistent rise in Covid-19 cases since March 2023, with 10,262 cases reported in the week ending April 20, 2023. A rise in the positivity rate has also been noted across the country, with 5.5 per cent positivity reported in the week ending April 19, against 4.7 per cent positivity reported in the previous week. This is a cause of concern,” Bhushan said in his letter.
“The pandemic is still not over, and we must remain cautious against laxity at any level, which may nullify the gains made in pandemic management so far. It is also critical to ensure timely and regular updation of data to assist in accurate monitoring of the situation,” he added.
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Bhushan also asked the states to maintain adequate levels of testing (especially in emerging hotspots), monitor trends of Influenza-like illness (ILI) and SARI cases, increase the number of Covid-19-positive samples sent for Whole Genomic Sequencing, etc.
“It is essential that the state must maintain a strict watch and take pre-emptive action if required in any area of concern to control any emerging spread of infection. Regular monitoring and follow-up action are crucial,” he added in his letter.
India has recorded 11,692 new coronavirus infections, while the active cases have increased to 66,170, according to the Union health ministry data updated on Friday. The death toll has increased to 5,31,258 with 28 deaths, which includes nine reconciled by Kerala.
The active cases now comprise 0.15 per cent of the total infections and the national Covid-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.67 per cent, the ministry said.
Here’s what the Covid situation is in the eight states:
- Uttar Pradesh has reported an increase in weekly cases from 279 in week ending April 13 to 696 in week ending 20 April. The state reported positivity rate of 2.19 per cent in week ending April 19 which is less than India average of 5.5, it was noted that one district reported positivity rate higher than 10 per cent and 4 districts reported a positivity rate between 5 and 10 per cent during the same period.
- Tamil Nadu has reported an increase in weekly cases from 356 in week ending April 13 to 510 in week ending April 20. The state reported a positivity rate of 6 per cent in week ending April 19. 11 districts reported positivity rate higher than 10 per cent and 12 districts reported positivity rate between 5 and 10 per cent in week ending April 19.
- Rajasthan reported an increase in cases from 181 (week ending April 13) to 435 (week ending April 20). It reported a positivity rate of 5.81 per cent in the week ending April 19. Six districts reported positivity rate higher than 10 per cent and 11 districts reported a positivity rate between 5 and 10 per cent in week ending April 19.
- Maharashtra has reported an increase in weekly cases from 774 in week ending April 13 to 872 in the week ending April 20. The state reported a positivity rate of 6.87 per cent in week ending April 19. 8 districts reported positivity rate higher than 10 per cent and 9 districts reported positivity rate between 5 and 10 per cent in week ending April 19.
- Kerala reported an increase in weekly cases from 2,139 in week ending April 13 to 2,602 in week ending April 20 while Karnataka reported a rise in weekly cases from 268 in week ending April 13 to 369 in week ending April 20.
- Karnataka reported a positivity rate of 2.83 per cent in week ending April 19, which is less than India average, it was noted that the district of Bengaluru Urban reported high positivity rate of 6.7 per cent during the same period.
- Haryana saw an increase in weekly cases from 445 in the week ending April 13 to 910 in the week ending April 20 whereas in Delhi, there was an increase in weekly cases from 741 in the week ending April 13 to 1,471 in the week ending April 20.
- Delhi reported a positivity rate of 29.65 per cent in the week ending April 19 which is significantly higher than India’s positivity rate of 5.5 per cent during the same period. 11 districts reported positivity rate higher than 10 per cent.
