Covid-19: Centre asks Delhi, six other states to focus on testing and vaccination

New Delhi: In the wake of a surge in the number of coronavirus cases in some parts of the country, the Centre has asked Delhi and six other states to ensure adequate testing, use Covid precautions and ramp up vaccination to contain the surge.

In a letter to Delhi, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Telangana, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said the spread of covid-19 and other communicable diseases, including COVID-19, may increase due to the upcoming festivals and large-scale gatherings in different parts of the country. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure adequate testing in all the districts of the states while RT-PCR and antigen tests are also done.

He said that it is necessary to ensure adequate testing in all the districts of the states while RT-PCR and antigen tests are also done. The states should also closely monitor the districts with high cases, positivity rate and clusters so that necessary arrangements can be made to deal with it along with preventing the spread of this epidemic.

He asked the states to ensure effective adherence to the COVID-19 strategy issued by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.