logo
Need to remain vigilant, follow all Covid safety guidelines: Haryana health minister

Need to remain vigilant, follow all Covid safety guidelines: Haryana health minister

Time of India4 days ago

Chandigarh:
Haryana health minister Arti Singh Rao
on Wednesday urged the public and healthcare officials to remain vigilant and proactive about the spread of Covid-19 infections.
She emphasized that public health and safety is the government's top priority.
Rao also said timely action and strict adherence to preventive measures can significantly curb the spread of the virus, and that there is no need to panic.
A total of 16 Covid cases have been reported in Haryana recently.
In response to a query on Covid cases in Haryana, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini too, on Wednesday, said that the health department is fully prepared to handle the situation.
Rao said the department has issued an advisory to all civil surgeons regarding Covid-19. They have been directed to establish dedicated 'flu corners' at health facilities to provide early screening and treatment.
Hospitals across the state are being instructed to ensure readiness with adequate beds, including isolation beds, oxygen supply, essential antibiotics, PPE kits, N-95 masks, and necessary testing supplies, she said.
The minister said refresher training sessions for healthcare staff will be organised to reinforce knowledge on Covid-19 signs, symptoms, management and updated guidelines.
The public is being encouraged to adopt appropriate Covid-19 behaviour, including maintaining respiratory and hand hygiene, covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, practicing social distancing, avoiding spitting in public places, wearing masks in crowded environments, and frequent hand-washing, an official statement quoted Rao as saying.
District surveillance units have been instructed to closely monitor home-isolated cases, particularly high-risk individuals such as the elderly, pregnant women, children, and those who have comorbidities.
Meetings with the Indian Medical Association are also being convened to strengthen preparedness at the district level.
Rao appealed to all citizens to stay vigilant and follow the safety protocols. "Let's stay informed and follow safety protocols," she said.
The health department has instructed all civil surgeons, district surveillance units and health facilities to implement these measures immediately and ensure daily reporting through the established channels. PTI

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Covid cases rise in India: Active caseloads hit 3,961, 4 more deaths; Kerala, Maharashtra, Delhi worst affected
Covid cases rise in India: Active caseloads hit 3,961, 4 more deaths; Kerala, Maharashtra, Delhi worst affected

Time of India

timean hour ago

  • Time of India

Covid cases rise in India: Active caseloads hit 3,961, 4 more deaths; Kerala, Maharashtra, Delhi worst affected

India's active Covid-19 case count climbed to 3,961 on Monday, June 2—up by 566 since Sunday—as Kerala, Maharashtra, and Delhi continued to report the highest number of infections, according to data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). The country has recorded 32 Covid-related deaths since January 1, including four deaths reported in the past 24 hours. Delhi, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu each logged one covid-related death. The deceased included a 22-year-old woman in Delhi with a history of post-tuberculosis lung disease and a 44-year-old man in Maharashtra suffering from acute respiratory distress and aortic valve issues. Kerala's latest fatality was reported, though details remain pending. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Elegant New Scooters For Seniors In 2024: The Prices May Surprise You Mobility Scooter | Search Ads Learn More Undo Delhi sees sharpest rise again; Tamil Nadu, Karnataka report deaths Delhi reported the sharpest daily increase among major states, adding 47 new active cases and one death. Tamil Nadu, which now has 189 active cases, recorded the death of a 25-year-old man with bronchial asthma and acute tubular injury. Karnataka (253 active cases) also reported a fresh Covid-linked death, while Uttar Pradesh, now with 157 active cases, added two more deaths to its toll. Live Events In total, 16 states and UTs have reported Covid-related fatalities so far this year, though most regions continue to report mild cases and relatively low hospitalisation. Kerala remains worst-hit; Maharashtra, West Bengal follow Kerala continues to bear the heaviest Covid burden, with 1,435 active cases, up from 1,336 the previous day. Maharashtra and Delhi follow with 506 and 483 active cases, respectively. West Bengal has also seen a sharp rise, climbing to 331 active infections. Other states reporting higher caseloads include Karnataka (253), Tamil Nadu (189), Uttar Pradesh (157), Gujarat (338), and Rajasthan (69). Smaller increases were also observed in states like Madhya Pradesh (23), Haryana (28), and Odisha (12). A total of 203 patients were discharged across states in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of recovered or migrated patients this year to 2,188. Experts: No cause for panic, most cases still mild Despite the surge in numbers, health authorities continue to stress that the overall situation remains under control. Most cases are mild and managed under home isolation. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Health Ministry officials have reiterated that there is no immediate cause for alarm, though they urge the public to stay vigilant. 'We have been closely monitoring the situation. At this moment, overall, we should monitor, be vigilant but there is no cause to worry,' said Dr Rajiv Behl, Director General of ICMR. The increase comes amid the spread of Omicron sub-variants LF.7, XFG, JN.1, and NB.1.8.1, recently detected through genome sequencing in western and southern India. The World Health Organization has labelled these 'Variants Under Monitoring,' indicating they currently pose no global threat. Hospital readiness, vaccination, and masking key to managing spread As a precaution, state health departments—especially in Delhi, Maharashtra, and Kerala—are rechecking hospital preparedness and medical supply chains. Authorities are encouraging mask use in crowded or poorly ventilated areas, especially for the elderly and those with comorbidities. With the virus spreading primarily through new sub-variants that are more contagious but less virulent, experts believe vaccination, timely diagnosis, and responsible behaviour will be crucial in keeping hospitalisation and deaths low. While India's caseload remains a fraction of earlier waves, the recent spike—tenfold in under two weeks—has refocused attention on active monitoring, genome sequencing, and public awareness to prevent another full-blown wave.

India Reports 3,961 Active Covid-19 Cases; When Should You Test For Covid? Health Ministry Shares Guidelines
India Reports 3,961 Active Covid-19 Cases; When Should You Test For Covid? Health Ministry Shares Guidelines

NDTV

timean hour ago

  • NDTV

India Reports 3,961 Active Covid-19 Cases; When Should You Test For Covid? Health Ministry Shares Guidelines

India has reported a total of 3,961 active Covid-19 cases so far. According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare data, 203 fresh infections were recorded in the last 24 hours. Kerala has reported the most cases, with 1,435, followed by Maharashtra with 506 and Delhi with 483 cases. Four people have succumbed to the virus during the ongoing resurgence of Covid-19. The new highly transmissible variant NB.1.8.1, descendants of the JN.1 variant has contributed to a surge in Covid-19 cases. The JN.1 variant and its related descendants belong to the Omicron family. Along with NB.1.8.1, the LF.7 strain is also circulating rapidly. Symptoms of NB.1.8.1 According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the NB.1.8.1 strain has triggered a sharp rise in hospitalisations across China and has also been detected in the United States. Symptoms are generally mild to moderate. However, elderly and immune-compromised people remain at higher risk for severe disease. NB.1.8.1 may not cause severe illness, however, it spreads faster than other variants. Do you need a covid test? Covid cases are rising and so are flu cases, the need for covid testing has become more important than ever. Do you really need a covid test? Here are the health ministry guidelines you should follow. "All individuals need not be tested, because disease is primarily reported in individuals with travel history to the affected countries or close contacts of positive cases," mentions the health ministry. According to the health ministry, all symptomatic people need a covid test if: You have a history of international travel in the last 14 days You came in contact with confirmed cases You are a healthcare provider You are hospitalized patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) influenza-like illness (ILI) or severe pneumonia. "Asymptomatic direct and high-risk contacts of confirmed cases should be tested once between day 5 and day 14 of coming in his/her contact," the health ministry mentions. Direct and high-risk contact includes those living in the same household with a confirmed case and healthcare workers who examined a confirmed case without adequate protection as per WHO recommendations. Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.

Covid-19 now just like any other respiratory illness, predominant in India after recent surge: Expert
Covid-19 now just like any other respiratory illness, predominant in India after recent surge: Expert

First Post

time2 hours ago

  • First Post

Covid-19 now just like any other respiratory illness, predominant in India after recent surge: Expert

SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19 disease, is just like any other respiratory illness now and there is no possibility of another catastrophic wave like the one driven by Delta variant in 2021, according to Soumya Swaminathan, a former Chief Scientist at the World Health Organization (WHO). read more At present, 'LF.7' and 'NB.1.8' — both descendants of the 'JN.1' variant — are the main variants of the COVID-19-causing virus circulating in Singapore. AP File Soumya Swaminathan, a former Chief Scientist at the World Health Organization (WHO), has said that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19 disease, is now just like any other respiratory virus and there is no need to panic at the moment. In recent weeks, Covid-19 cases have risen in India. As per the latest information, there are 3,961 active Covid-19 cases in the country, with 203 new cases and four deaths being reported in the previous 24 hours. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In an interview with CNN-News 18, Swaminathan said that the SARS-CoV-2, just like any other virus, is bound to periodic surges every six to eight months and the ongoing spike in cases is a result of such a periodic surge. She went on to compare it with influenza virus. 'It has been around now for five years. It is of course constantly mutating and changing like other viruses. And, just like we get every year a spike of influenza cases at certain seasons, we have also now started seeing that periodically, maybe every six to eight months or so, there is a rise in Covid cases,' said Swaminathan, who also served as the Director General of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) during 2015-17. Swaminathan further said that there was no chance of another catastrophic wave of Covid-19 like the Delta variant's wave of 2021. Swaminathan noted that influenza virus was the predominant respiratory infection for most of the year and it was only in April and May that Covid-19 over influenza. She said that it is likely to happen now as Covid-19 has become just another viral infection now. Swaminathan said, 'It's likely that every few months or once a year, we will see this type of thing happening in the future. The good thing is, of course, that we all have immunity now, both from vaccination and from natural infections that many of us have had in the last few years. And, so, what you're seeing now is a mild disease mostly, even though people are testing and reporting positivity, you find that hospitalisations are very few.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While there is no need to panic, people with higher risk of sickness should take the usual precautions, said Swaminathan. Those with higher risk include people with compromised immune systems, pre-existing health conditions, and older people, according to Swaminathan.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store