Haryana acts quickly in response to COVID-19 arrival

Haryana is now grappling with the entry of COVID-19, as reports confirm infections in six individuals, among them a 42-year-old woman from Gurugram. The state’s health department has swiftly activated response measures following this development.
A previous case emerged when a woman who had recently returned from abroad tested positive, prompting heightened surveillance. Notably, there is no confirmation of the new sub-variant JN.1 of the Omicron variant among the reported cases at this stage.
In response to the evolving situation, health department officials have proactively sent all suspicious samples for rigorous testing. Emphasizing the need for a comprehensive understanding of the virus, the department is actively advocating for genome sequencing.
As per health department officials, the woman in Gurugram, experiencing mild Covid symptoms such as cough and sore throat, is currently under home isolation. The Health Department has identified 87 suspected patients, and their samples have been sent for testing. Out of these, 19 patients are awaiting their test results. Officials affirm that, as of now, no cases related to the new sub-variant of Corona have been reported in the state. However, the health department remains fully prepared for any challenging situations.
The government has taken a decisive step, deciding to conduct RTPCR tests for patients exhibiting influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI). In a recent meeting, it was proposed that RTPCR tests should be made mandatory in such cases. State Home and Health Minister Anil Vij emphasized the importance of declaring Covid-19 as a notified disease. This would enable private hospitals to report cases to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and government hospitals promptly.