New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Sunday expressed serious concern over a sudden spike in positive COVID-19 cases.
"Till now there are 973 COVID-19 confirmed cases. If we look into the statistics of last 24 hours, there is a sudden increase of 106 cases. Six deaths also reported from six different states," said Luv Agarwal, joint secretary in the Health Ministry.
The sudden upsurge in COVID-19 cases has forced the Health Ministry to go for hotspot identification in a war footing.
"We have also asked the concerned state governments to identify the areas from where such cases are coming," Aggrawal added.
As per health ministry records, India had 867 positive cases till Saturday with 19 total deaths.
The figure of positive COVID-19 cases stood at 973 with 25 deaths till Sunday afternoon.
Officials believe that the sudden migration of labourers from one place to another could be a reason of sudden spike in COVID-19 positive cases.
This emerging development has also forced the central Governmnet to allot more powers to Deputy Commissioner, District Magistrate, Senior Suprerintendent of Police and Superintendent of Police.
Union Home Secretary Rajib Gauba and Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla held a video conferencing with all the state Chief Secretaries and DGPs to ensure totall lockdown.
In a letter dashed to Chief Secretaries and Administrators of UTs, Cabinet Secretary Gauba said that the migrant people who have left for their homes, must be kept in nearest shelter and ensure 14 days of quarantine.
The central government has also asked the states to arrange dedicated COVID-19 hospitals to handle all emergency situation.
Significantly, Centre on Sunday has also setup 10 empowered committees to look into all the aspects of COVID-19 related activities.
"Taking another strong step, central government has setup up 10 empowered committees who will look after medical facilities, isolation in hospitals, quarantine facility, ventilator and PPEs issue, human resource management, public grievances among others things," said Aggrawal.
Aggrawal said that high risk cases (aged people, persons with previous ailments like co-morbidity, high blood pressure, diabetes) are being monitored closely.
Interestingly, Central government has also involved National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) to help people in this continues lockdown.
"NIMHANS has also launched a toll free number to address mental issues due to Coronavirous outbreak," said Aggrawal.
The Health Ministry officials has also informed that 1.25 lakh railway wagon carrying essential commodities have been transported across India.
"While looking after total lockdown, we have also ensured that there is no scarcity of essential commodities anywhere in the country," said Aggrawal.
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