Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya reviews the COVID-19 Situation and the Preparedness of the public health system for Surveillance, Containment, and Management given the Rising COVID-19 cases worldwide.
COVID is not over yet. I have directed all concerned to be on the alert, and strengthen surveillance. I also urge people to take the COVID vaccination, said Dr. Mandaviya. States/UTs advised sending samples of all Covid-19 positive cases to INSACOG labs to facilitate tracking of new variants.
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare today chaired a high-level meeting to review the COVID-19 situation in India and the preparedness of the public health system for surveillance, containment, and management of COVID-19 given the recent spike in cases of COVID-19 in some countries along with Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare. Dr. V K Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog, senior officials, and public health experts were present.
The Union Health Minister was briefed on the global COVID-19 situation and the domestic scenario. Underlining the challenge posed by the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in some countries across the world such as China, Japan, South Korea, France, and the United States, the Union Health Minister noted the importance of being prepared and remaining alert against new and emerging strains of COVID-19, especially given the upcoming festive season. Underlying and reiterating that COVID is not over yet, he directed the officials to be fully geared up and strengthen surveillance. He urged people to follow COVID Appropriate Behaviour and get vaccinated against COVID.
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya directed for strengthening of the surveillance system for whole genome sequencing of positive case samples to track the variants through the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) network to ensure timely detection of newer variants, if any, circulating in the country. This would facilitate the undertaking of appropriate public health measures. States/UTs have been requested to send samples of all COVID-19-positive cases to INSACOG Genome Sequencing Laboratories (IGSLs) daily, for sequencing, to track new variants, if any.