India
oi-Deepika S
Prime
Minister
Narendra
Modi
on
Wednesday
stressed
on
enhanced
genome
sequencing
while
also
emphasising
on
Covid-appropriate
behaviour
at
a
meeting
with
senior
officials
this
evening
to
review
preparedness
of
the
healthcare
system.
The
high-level
meeting
comes
in
the
backdrop
of
a
spike
in
Influenza
cases
in
the
country
and
rise
of
Covid-19
cases
in
the
past
2
weeks.
In
the
meeting,
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
Mar,
2023.
However,
1.08
lakh
daily
average
cases
have
been
reported
globally
during
the
same
week.
The
action
taken
on
the
directions
given
by
Prime
Minister
during
the
last
Covid-19
review
held
on
22nd
Dec
2022
were
also
briefed.
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.
A
mock
drill
was
also
conducted
on
27th
December
2022
in
22,000
hospitals,
and
many
remedial
measures
taken
by
hospitals
thereafter.
The
Prime
Minister
was
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.
Prime
Minister
directed
officials
to
enhance
Whole
Genome
Sequencing
of
Positive
Samples
with
the
designated
INSACOG
Genome
Sequencing
Laboratories.
This
will
support
tracking
of
newer
variants,
if
any,
and
timely
response.
PM
emphasised
Covid
appropriate
behaviour
including
wearing
of
masks
in
hospital
premises
by
both
patients,
health
professionals
and
health
workers.
He
also
stressed
that
wearing
of
masks
is
advisable
when
senior
citizens
and
those
with
co-morbidities
visit
crowded
areas.
Visuals
from
the
high
level
meeting
chaired
by
PM
@narendramodi
in
which
he
reviewed
Covid-19
related
situation
&
public
health
preparedness.
@PMOIndia
@MoHFW_INDIA
pic.twitter.com/8B83Y8DmQ9—
Prasar
Bharati
News
Services
&
Digital
Platform
(@PBNS_India)
March
22,
2023
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
&
Covid-19
across
Health
Facilities
along
with
availability
of
sufficient
beds
and
health
human
resources.
He
highlighted
that
Covid-19
pandemic
is
far
from
over
and
there
is
a
need
to
monitor
the
status
across
the
country
on
regular
basis.
Prime
Minister
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.
Mock
drills
should
be
conducted
regularly
to
ensure
that
our
hospitals
are
ready
for
all
exigencies.
Prime
Minister
exhorted
community
to
follow
respiratory
hygiene
and
to
adhere
to
Covid
appropriate
behavior
in
crowded
public
places.