NEW DELHI, June 12 - Union Cabinet Secretary Ajay Bhalla has advised the Chief Secretaries, Health and Urban Development Secretaries of all States to focus on containment, testing and tracing, upgradation of health infrastructure, and community engagement for effective management of COVID-19.
Meanwhile, the recovery rate of COVID-19 positive cases continues to increase and is currently at 49.47 per cent. A total of 1,47,194 individuals have been cured and recovered, while 1,41,842 individuals are under active medical supervision. 6,166 individuals have recovered of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, official sources claimed.
Sources said States were asked to also pay special attention to the emerging epicentres and undertake stringent containment measures so as to check the spread of the virus. States were advised that active house-to-house surveillance through special teams in containment zones is critical for early identification of cases. They were requested to expedite upgrading of hospital infrastructure so as to manage the cases as per projections besides ensuring sufficient logistics and trained human resources.
It was emphasized that going forward preventive measures are extremely important, especially for vulnerable population i.e., elderly and comorbid patients. Timely referrals, based on symptoms and improving clinical practices with the help of centres of excellence in collaboration with AIIMS, Delhi was also stressed. States were requested to undertake extensive community outreach to encourage social distancing and promotion of COVID-19 appropriate behaviour in the community at all times.
