At High-Level Meet Centre Reveals 5-Step Plan To Tackle Spike In Covid Cases

A five-step plan - "increased testing, effective isolation and contact tracing, re-invigoration of healthcare staff, following Covid protocols, and targeted vaccination" - was discussed

The Union Health Secretary on Saturday chaired a high-level meeting with 12 states and union territories - including Maharashtra, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Bengal, Karnataka, Punjab and Delhi - to discuss the alarming spike in Covid cases across the country. At the meeting a five-step strategy - "exponential increase in testing, effective isolation and contact tracing, re-invigoration of healthcare workers (to counter fatigue after spending the past year fighting the virus and treating patients) ensuring the public follows Covid protocols, and targeted approach to vaccination" - was introduced to help deal with the increase in cases. Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan told states and UTs present that 46 "high-burden districts" had been identified and advised them to focus on "stringent containment and public health measures". States and UTs were told these 46 districts had contributed 71 per cent of all new Covid cases (and 69 per cent of all deaths) this month. Mr Bhushan also said that of the 36 districts in Maharashtra - the worst-affected state - 25 accounted for 59.8 per cent of all new cases in the past week.