Covid surge: Government labs in AP asked to prepare for 1,000 RT-PCR tests daily
People with mild symptoms of fever, cough etc have been advised to stay under home isolation
By Newsmeter Network Published on 19 Dec 2023 1:31 PM GMT
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Amaravati: In light of the surge in Covid-19 cases in Kerala, the Central government has asked the states to ensure that RT-PCR laboratories in government hospitals are equipped to do a minimum of 1,000 tests per day.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (HM&FW) has issued an advisory, stressing the need for sustained vigilance against its spread.
Further, it has asked to make sure that sufficient rapid test kits will be positioned in all village health clinics. RTPCR tests should be mandatorily conducted on all patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) and Influenza-like illness (ILI).
Stock up on equipment
In a special meeting, the special chief secretary of the Andhra Pradesh government asked the officials in the health department to review the preparedness of the state given the high cases being reported in the neighbouring states. Health officials have stated that the virulence of the disease is less and there are only a few hospitalisations reported.
Apart from necessary medication, the officials have been asked to maintain enough stock of PPE equipment like gloves, masks, and sanitisers in all the hospitals. The oxygen supply plants like LMO, PSA, oxygen concentrators, D-type cylinders and ventilators will be made fully functional.
Festive crowd control
People with mild symptoms of fever, cough etc have been advised to stay under home isolation and avoid contact with others until symptoms resolve. Given various festivals in the days to come sufficient precautions will be taken to follow Covid-19 appropriate behaviour, especially in large gatherings.
People returning from Sabarimala and other parts of Kerala have been asked to maintain caution if they are having any symptoms of SARI/ILI. Upon noticing symptoms, they should immediately get themselves tested at the nearest village health clinic.
The special secretary has appealed to the public that the present situation is not alarming that it is being continuously monitored and the health machinery of the state is fully prepared to deal with any situation.
