Health ministry asks poll-bound states to 'increase' Covid testing

Rajesh Bhushan asks Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Manipur to 'speedily ramp up' their vaccination drives

Rajesh Bhushan.: File photo

G.S. Mudur   |   TT  |  New Delhi   |  28.12.21 :  The Union health ministry on Monday asked the five poll-bound states to “exponentially increase” Covid-19 testing to find undetected cases and initiate public health measures to avert any sudden surge in infections due to low testing.

Health secretary Rajesh Bhushan in a meeting with officials from Uttarakhand, Goa, Manipur, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab reviewed the public health measures for containment and control of Covid-19 and the vaccination status in these states.

Bhushan asked Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Manipur to “speedily ramp up” their Covid-19 vaccination drives.

While Uttarakhand and Goa have achieved vaccination coverage levels higher than the national average — first dose to 90 per cent and two doses to 62 per cent of adults — Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Manipur are lagging behind.

Uttar Pradesh has administered first doses to 84 per cent of its population, but second doses to only 46 per cent. In Punjab, 75 per cent of the population is covered by the first dose, but 40 per cent by the second dose. In Manipur, 56 per cent of the population is covered by the first dose, 40 per cent by the second dose.

Bhushan also asked state officials to draw up district-wise weekly vaccination implementation plans to expand coverage.

The health ministry said the poll-bound states had been “strongly advised” to ensure that the recommended Covid-19 appropriate behaviour is strictly followed and adequate measures are taken for their effective enforcement.

Public health experts worried about fresh Covid-19 surges fuelled by the fast-spreading and immune-evasive omicron variant are also concerned that public meetings and other poll-linked activities might contribute to the surges.