Step up surveillance, wear masks: Health Minister Mandviya amid Covid concerns

"In view of upcoming festivals and new year celebrations, states also need to focus on ensuring effective awareness within the community on adherence to COVID-appropriate behavior which includes the use of masks, hand hygiene, and respiratory hygiene practices, besides following physical distancing," Mandaviya said in Lok Sabha.

New Delhi: Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday asked states to remain alert and create awareness about wearing face masks and using hand sanitizers, as a spurt in Covid cases in some parts of the world is being reported. Making a statement in Lok Sabha, Mandaviya said the continuously evolving nature of the virus poses threat to global health in a way that impacts virtually every country.

The minister said India has been reporting 153 new cases on average every day as against 5.87 lakh on a daily basis across the world. "In view of upcoming festivals and new year celebrations, states also need to focus on ensuring effective awareness within the community on adherence to COVID-appropriate behavior which includes the use of masks, hand hygiene, and respiratory hygiene practices, besides following physical distancing," he said.

Mandaviya said states have been advised to focus on heightened surveillance within the community and to undertake requisite control and containment measures. He said states have also been advised to increase the whole genome sequencing of all positive cases for the timely detection of newer variants if any.

Mandaviya said states should ensure the coverage of COVID-19 vaccine's precaution doses are increased and awareness about them raised. The minister said two percent random sampling of all international passengers has already started from Thursday at all international airports to minimize the risk of ingress of any new variant into the country.