Centre urges States to impose strict curbs ahead of festivals

17:14 August 25

New Delhi:Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan cautioned all States regarding a spike in COVID cases during the upcoming festival season and advised to undertake all possible public health measures to curb this.

Secretary Rajesh Bhushan chaired a high-level meeting on Wednesday with all States/UTs in which he reviewed the progress of COVID-19 vaccination. Union Health Secretary cautioned the States regarding a spike/surge in COVID cases during the upcoming festival season and advised them to undertake all possible public health measures to curb this. He cited the example of Kerala where a visible rise of cases has been registered over the past week post Onam. 

The Union Health Secretary stressed on having a definite district level plan to increase coverage of second dose. "States were advised to undertake targeted strategies like earmarking specific days/ specific vaccination sites (CVC)s/ specific timings every day/ separate queue to exclusively administer second dose of the vaccines," an official statement from the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry read.

The central government has requested to identify districts whose vaccine coverage is lower than the State average and monitor as well as enhance progress of vaccination in these districts.

The meeting also reviewed the policy of maintaining adequate buffer stock of medicines used in treating COVID-19. "States can also procure and maintain a buffer stock of COVID medicines they deem necessary other the eight essential COVID drugs compulsorily mandated by Union Health Ministry," the statement read.

Union Secretary (Pharma) encouraged the states to stock up early when cases are less and therefore demand is low. "Procurement in a staggered manner will not overwhelm the logistics of production," the ministry noted.