Bhushan has also advised the state government to ensure vaccination coverage against Covid-19 and influenza NEW DELHI: Amid the rising number of influenza cases across the country and a slight uptick in the Covid-19 positive rate, the union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan on Saturday directed all states and union territories to closely monitor the trend of influenza-like illnesses, severe acute respiratory illness (ILI/SARIs) and SARS-CoV-2 while ensuring adequate stock of drugs, medical equipment, medical oxygen in the hospitals.
Bhushan has also advised the state government to ensure vaccination coverage against Covid-19 and influenza. “In the light of the rising trend in other influenza-like illnesses and severe acute respiratory illness (ILIs/SARIs) being witnessed in some states/UTs across the country, a review meeting was held recently under member (health), NITI Aayog to review the current situation.
While the Covid-19 trajectory has decreased in the last few months, the gradual rise in Covid-19 test positivity in some states is a concerning issue that needs to be promptly addressed," said Bhushan in a letter seen by Mint.
The minister added, “There is still a need to remain vigilant and focus on five-fold strategy of test-track-treat-vaccination and adherence to the covid-appropriate behavior." While influenza is an annual seasonal occurrence, in the present season, a variety of weather conditions and behavioural reasons (like lack of hygiene and sneezing, coughing without adequate protection in close proximity) make the environment conducive to the circulation of a number of viral respiratory pathogens like influenza A (H1N1, H3N2 etc), adenoviruses etc.