India to conduct extensive surveillance for ILI and SARI people: MHA

The Union Health Ministry has asked all States and UTs to get the house to house surveillance done by special teams to search Covid19 cases. In the case of the buffer zone, extensive surveillance for cases through monitoring ILI and SARI cases in health facilities need to be done.

New Delhi: Even as the Central government has given wide relaxation in its two weeks extended nationwide Covid-19 lockdown period from May 4, the Union Health Ministry has asked all States and UTs to get the house to house surveillance done by special teams to search Covid19 cases.

"In containment zones, stringent perimeter control, active search for cases through the house to house surveillance by special teams formed for the purpose, testing of all cases as per sampling guidelines, contact tracing and clinical management of all confirmed case need to be done while in case of the buffer zone, extensive surveillance for cases through monitoring ILI and SARI cases in health facilities need to be done," said Lav Agarwal, joint secretary in the Health Ministry.

India during the last 24 hours registered the biggest spike of 1993 positive Covid19 cases taking the total figure to 35,043. As many as 77 deaths have also reported in the last 24 hours. So far, a total of 8,888 people have also been cured taking the total recovery rate to 25.37 percent.

The Health Ministry on Friday has also appealed people to wear the mask of face cover.

"It is reiterated that for breaking the chain of transmission, it is important to follow hand hygiene, like washing hands with soap and water or using sanitizer, regularly clean all frequently touched surfaces such as tabletops, chair handles, keyboards, mouse, etc," said Agrawal.

Referring to West Bengal a letter sent by state principal secretary, health, Vivek Kumar, Agrawal said that RedZone has been identified depending on the doubling days, potential Covid cases, the sensitivity of the particular areas.

It may be mentioned here that West Bengal has written to Union Health Ministry informing it that there are only 4 red zones in West Bengal as against 10 shown in the presentation during the Cabinet Secretariat's video conference with the state on April 30.

Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan and Minister of State for Health Ashwini Kumar Chaubey hold a video conferencing with Bihar health minister Mangal Pandey though.

Officials said the meeting discussed the management of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) and reviewed the Covid 19 situation in Bihar.

Meanwhile, Puniya Salila Srivastava, joint secretary in the Home Ministry has informed that the border guarding force (BSF) has intensified its patrolling along the border areas to stop all possible intrusion of people from across the border.

The statement given by Srivastava assumes significance following the fact that forces inimical to India's security have reportedly been trying to push people with Covid infection into India.

"BSF has intensified its patrolling along with the border areas. CRPF, NSG, ITBP, Army, and all other paramilitary forces have extended their help in India's fight against Covid 19," said Srivastava.