The rise in Covid cases has prompted the Union government to request that these five Indian states keep a close eye on the situation

*Paromita Das

Concerned about a slight increase in Covid cases, the Union Health Ministry has urged the five states reporting higher infections to increase their vigilance and not relax their guard.

Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan has asked the states of Delhi, Haryana, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Mizoram to keep a close eye on the situation and take any necessary precautions.

“Given that the states/UTs have been undertaking various measures to reopen economic and social activities,” Mr Bhushan wrote, “there is a need for continuous follow-up of a risk assessment-based approach for COVID 19 management.”
These states have been instructed to continue the five-pronged strategy, which includes testing, tracking, treatment, vaccination, and adherence to Covid-appropriate behavior.
“To control any emerging spread of infection, the state must keep a close eye on any areas of concern and take pre-emptive action if necessary. Testing and surveillance are still necessary to track the virus’s spread and evolution “Bhushan stated in his letter.

Kerala, out of the five states, has seen a significant increase in Covid infections in the last week.

The southern state reported 2,321 new cases in the previous week, accounting for 31.8 percent of all new cases in India. The state’s weekly positivity rate has also increased to 15.53 percent from 13.45 percent.
The weekly new cases reported by the national capital Delhi increased from 724 new cases in the week ending April 1 to 826 new cases in the last week (ending April 8), accounting for 11.33 percent of India’s new cases.

Positive sentiment has also increased in the last week, rising from 0.51 percent to 1.25 percent.

Haryana reported an increase in weekly new cases from 367 in the week ending April 1 to 416 in the week ending April 8, accounting for 5.70% of India’s new cases. Positive sentiment in the state has also risen in the last week, rising from 0.51 percent to 1.06 percent.
Maharashtra reported 794 new cases in the previous week (ending April 8), accounting for 10.9% of all new cases in India. Positive sentiment in the state has also increased in the last week, rising from 0.39 percent to 0.43 percent.

Mizoram reported 814 new cases in the last week (ending April 8), accounting for 11.16 percent of India’s new cases, and positivity increased in the last week from 14.38 percent to 16.48 percent, according to the letter to the state.