Introduction: In response to the recent surge in COVID-19 cases and the detection of the new JN.1 variant in India, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued a crucial advisory to all states and union territories. The advisory emphasizes the importance of maintaining a constant state of vigilance to effectively combat the challenges posed by the evolving public health situation.
Detailed Analysis:
1. Festive Season Precautions: With the festive season approaching, states are advised to implement necessary public health measures to minimize the risk of increased disease transmission. The emphasis is on maintaining respiratory hygiene to curb the spread of the virus during gatherings and celebrations.
2. Compliance with Operational Guidelines: States are urged to ensure effective compliance with the detailed operational guidelines for the revised surveillance strategy for COVID-19 provided by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. These guidelines serve as a comprehensive framework for enhanced surveillance and control.
3. District-wise Monitoring: To detect early rising trends of cases, states are instructed to monitor and report district-wise cases of Influenza-like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI). Integration with the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) portal is essential for real-time monitoring.
4. Adequate Testing Strategies: States are advised to ensure adequate testing in all districts, following the COVID-19 testing guidelines. The recommended distribution of RT-PCR and Antigen tests should be maintained, with a specific emphasis on increasing the number of RT-PCR tests.
5. Genome Sequencing for Variants: Encouraging the timely detection of new variants, states are encouraged to increase the number of RT-PCR tests and send positive samples for genome sequencing to the Indian SARS COV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) laboratories. This proactive approach helps in understanding and responding to emerging variants.
6. Preparedness Drill: States are called upon to ensure active participation of both public and private health facilities in the preparedness and response drill conducted by the Union Health Ministry. This aims to assess and strengthen the overall preparedness and response capacities.
7. Community Awareness: In addition to governmental efforts, states are tasked with promoting community awareness to secure continuous support in managing COVID-19. This involves educating the public on the importance of adherence to respiratory hygiene and other preventive measures.
Conclusion: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s advisory underscores the collaborative efforts required at both central and state levels to navigate the challenges posed by the evolving COVID-19 situation. It serves as a comprehensive guide for states to adopt proactive measures, enhance surveillance, and engage communities in the collective fight against the pandemic. Adherence to these guidelines is crucial in ensuring the well-being of the nation as it continues to combat the impact of the virus.
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Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Centre issues advisory to States in view of a recent upsurge in COVID-19 cases and detection of first case of JN.1 variant in India
States urged to maintain a state of constant vigil over the COVID situation
States to report & monitor district-wise SARI and ILI cases on a regular basis
States advised to ensure adequate testing including higher number of RT-PCR tests; and send positive samples for genome sequencing to INSACOG laboratories
Posted On: 18 DEC 2023 6:09PM by PIB Delhi
In view of the recent surge in COVID-19 cases in some States/UTs in India and the detection of the first case of the new JN.1 variant of COVID-19 in the country, Shri Sudhansh Pant, Union Health Secretary sent a letter to States/UTs, highlighting the need for maintaining a state of constant vigil over the COVID situation in the country.
He underlined that “due to consistent and collaborative actions between Centre and State Governments, we have been able to sustain the trajectory at sustainable low rates”. However, as the COVID-19 virus continues to circulate and its epidemiology behaviour gets settled with Indian weather conditions and circulation of other usual pathogens, it is important to keep the momentum going to effectively deal with the challenges in public health.
Union Health Secretary underlined the critical COVID control and management strategies as below:
1. Considering the upcoming festive season, States were advised to put in place requisite public health measures and other arrangements to minimize risk of increase in transmission of the disease by adherence to maintenance of respiratory hygiene.
2. States were urged to ensure effective compliance of the detailed operational guidelines for revised surveillance strategy for COVID-19 as has been shared by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. (available at: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/OperationalGuidelinesforRevisedSurveillanceStrategyincontextofCOVID-19.pdf).
3. States asked to monitor and report District-wise Influenza-like Illness (ILI) & Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases in all health facilities on a regular basis including in the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) portal, for detecting the early rising trend of cases.
4. States were advised to ensure adequate testing in all the districts as per Covid-19 testing guidelines and maintain the recommended share of RT-PCR and Antigen tests.
5. States were encouraged to increase number of RT-PCR tests and send positive samples for genome sequencing to Indian SARS COV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) laboratories so as to enable timely detection of new variants, if any, in the country.
6. States to ensure active participation of all public and private health facilities in the drill being conducted by the Union Health Ministry, to take stock of their preparedness and response capacities.
7. States also to promote community awareness to seek their continued support in managing COVID-19, including adherence to respiratory hygiene.
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