Dr Mansukh Mandaviya interacts with State Health Ministers; reviews status and progress under “HarGharDastak 2.0”

COVID is not over yet. There are reports of rising cases of COVID in some states. It is important at this time to be alert and not forget COVID Appropriate behaviour (CAB) such as wearing masks and maintaining physical distance to prevent spread of the infection”. This was stressed by Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya as he chaired a meeting through Video Conference (VC) today with Health Ministers and senior officials of  States and Union Territories (UTs) to review the progress of vaccination exercise HarGharDastak 2.0 campaign.

Highlighting increased case positivity in some districts and States and reduced COVID-19 testing, Dr Mandaviya stated that increased and timely testing will enable early identification of COVID cases and help to curb spread of the infection among the community. He urged States/UTs to continue and strengthen the surveillance and focus on genome sequencing for identifying new mutants/variants in the country. He stated that the five-fold strategy of Test, Track, Treat, Vaccination & Adherence to Covid Appropriate Behavior (CAB) needs to be continued and monitored by States/UTs. States were also urged to focus on implementing the Operational Guidelines for Revised Surveillance Strategy for COVID-19 which focuses on surveillance of incoming international travellers and surveillance through health facilities, labs, community etc.

Stressing on the importance of COVID vaccination among the vulnerable age groups, he urged the State Health Ministers to personally review the status and progress of the special month-long drive Har Ghar Dastak 2.0 campaign which has started since 1^st June. He said “Let us accelerate our efforts to identify all beneficiaries in the 12-17 age group for the 1^st and 2^nd doses, so they can attend schools with the protection of the vaccine”. He urged States for focussed coverage of 12-17 age groups through school-based campaigns (Govt/Private/ informal Schools like Madrasas, Day Care Schools), along with targeted coverage of non-school going children during the summer vacation.