New Delhi: As India reported a surge in fresh Covid-19 cases, the Centre on Friday advised five states to maintain a strict watch and take pre-emptive action, if needed, to control any emerging spread of the infection. A total of 4,041 new cases were recorded in a span of 24 hours while the death toll climbed to 5,24,651 with 10 fresh fatalities on Friday.
In a letter to Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Telangana, Karnataka and Maharashtra, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan highlighted that a few states were reporting a higher contribution to India's caseload, indicating the possibility of a localised spread of the infection.
"There is, therefore, a need to follow a risk assessment-based approach on the public health responses without losing the gains made so far in the fight against the pandemic," Bhushan said.
In the letter, he stated that a sustained and significant decline in the number of Covid-19 cases has been observed in India over the past three months. However, a slight upsurge in cases is being noticed, with 15,708 new infections being reported in a week ending on May 27, which rose to 21,055 cases in a week ending on June 3.
Also, there is a rise in the weekly positivity from 0.52 per cent in a week ending May 27, 2022, to 0.73 per cent in a week ending June 3, he said.
States have been asked to refer to the directions issued in a letter by the ministry dated April 8, 2022, for strategic areas of intervention like relaxation in various activities, testing and surveillance, clinical management, vaccination, and community engagement with an increased focus on evidence-based decision making.
According to the letter, Tamil Nadu has reported an increase in weekly new cases from 335 in the week ending on May 27 to 659 in the week ending on June 3, accounting for 3.13 per cent of India's new cases in the week ending on June 3.
The state has also seen an increase in positivity in the last week from 0.4 per cent to 0.8 per cent.
While analysing district-wide COVID-19 situations, it has been observed that two districts, Chennai and Chengalpattu, have recorded an increase in weekly cases and positivity, and it requires focused intervention from the state administration, the letter stated.
Kerala has reported an increase in weekly new cases from 4,139 new infections in the week ending on May 27 to 6,556 in the week ending on June 3, accounting for 31.14 per cent of India's new cases in the week ending on June 3.
The state saw an increase in positivity in the last week from 5.2 per cent to 7.8 per cent, Bhushan mentioned in the letter.
While analysing the district-wise Covid-19 situation, it was observed that 11 districts – Ernakulam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam, Kozhikode, Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Alappuzha, Kollam, Kannur, Malappuram and Wayanad – have recorded an increase in weekly cases and positivity, he said.
It is a matter of concern that 11 out of 14 districts are reporting a rise in cases and positivity which require focused intervention from the state administration, he added.
Telangana, the letter highlighted, has reported an increase in weekly new cases from 287 new infections in the week ending on May 27 to 375 new infections in the week ending on June 3, accounting for 1.78 per cent of India's new cases in the week ending on June 3.
Maharashtra has reported an increase in weekly new cases from 2,471 new infections in the week ending May 27 to 4,883 in the week ending June 3, accounting for 23.19 per cent of India's new cases in the week ending on June 3.
Karnataka has reported an increase in weekly new cases from 1,003 new infections in the week ending on May 27 to 1,446 in the week ending on June 3, accounting for 6.87 per cent of India's new cases in the week ending on June 3.