Corona threat looms again, nationwide mock drill on April 10-11 amid increasing cases

Pankaj Prasad
Covid 19
Covid 19

Once again the cases of Covid-19 and seasonal influenza have started increasing in the country.

Once again the cases of Covid-19 and seasonal influenza have started increasing in the country. Meanwhile, the government is planning a nationwide mock drill on April 10 and 11 to take stock of the preparedness of hospitals. The central government has issued an advisory regarding this. It said that health units of both public and private sectors of all the districts would participate in this mockdrill. The advisory also states that the exact details of the mock drill will be communicated to the states in a virtual meeting to be held on March 27. 

Most of the corona cases in these states

The advisory issued by Rajeev Behl also states that the country is witnessing a gradual but steady increase in COVID-19 cases since mid-February. At present, most of the corona cases in the country are being reported by a few states like Kerala (26.4 percent), Maharashtra (21.7 percent), Gujarat (13.9 percent), Karnataka (8.6 percent) and Tamil Nadu (6.3 percent). 

In a joint advisory issued by the Union Health Ministry and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on Saturday, it has been said that there has been a decline in testing of COVID-19 in some states in the last several weeks. Also, it has been found that the testing levels are currently inadequate as compared to the standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO). In view of this, the Union Health Ministry and ICMR have also asked all the states to promote corona testing and provide information about the symptoms.

Apart from this, all the states have also been asked to participate in the mock drill to take stock of the preparedness to deal with the increasing cases of Corona. Availability of ICU beds, medical equipments, oxygen and manpower will be ensured in the mock drill to be held on 10th and 11th of April. 

Advice to follow Covid protocol

In this, people have been advised to follow the safety protocol set for Kovid as per the advice of the Union Ministry of Health and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Along with this, people have been advised to wear masks in crowded and closed places. Along with this, it has been advised to wash hands with soap frequently and avoid spitting in public places. 

Today the maximum number of cases were found in the last 146 days

Significantly, 1,590 new cases of corona have been registered in the country on Saturday. This figure is the highest in the last 146 days. After the new cases of corona found today, the number of patients under treatment for corona has increased to 8,601. At the same time, the total number of cases in the country has increased to 4,47,02,257. Also, the death toll from Corona has increased to 5,30,824. According to the data released on Saturday, the daily rate of corona infection has been recorded at 1.33 percent while the weekly infection rate has gone up to 1.23 percent.

Health Ministry directs States/UTs to keep a close watch on Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases and their causes. At present, a rapid increase in the cases of influenza is being recorded in the country. Union Health Ministry has already issued detailed guidelines for management of co-infection of COVID-19 with seasonal pandemic. Also all States and Union Territories have been advised to disseminate these guidelines to all health facilities and health workers within the State to help in clinical case management.