Government of India is taking several steps along with the States/UTs for the prevention, containment and management of COVID-19 in the country. These are being regularly reviewed and monitored at the highest level.

Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi chaired the Joint Meeting of the Empowered Groups yesterday to ensure planning, preparedness and implementation of COVID-19 response across the country. The groups apprised on the actions taken so far, to increase the availability of hospitals, isolation and quarantine facilities, testing and critical care training, etc.

Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare visited All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jhajjar to take stock of preparedness to overcome COVID-19.He stated that the AIIMS Jhajjar will function as dedicated COVID-19 hospital consisting of 300 bed isolation wards which would ensure prompt care for patients in isolation requiring advanced medical support. The Union Health Minister said that “people world over are working tirelessly day and night to find a vaccine against the dreaded virus and till it is not found, we must treat the combination of lockdown and social distancing as an effective social vaccine against COVID-19.”

The Cabinet Secretary interacted with Chief Secretaries and Health Secretaries of all the States/UTs, and DM, SSP, CMO, IDSP Staff of all districts through a Video Conference (VC), here today. He directed all DMs to ensure that the Pharma units for manufacturing medicines & medical equipment are smoothly run. All staff and concerned representatives from States/UTs were given an orientation regarding the containment strategy in the VC today. All districts have further been advised to make a COVID-19 crisis management plan. Through this VC, the District Commissioners and Municipal Commissioners from six Districts (Bhilwara, Agra, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Pathanamthitta (Kerala), East Delhi and Mumbai Municipal) shared their strategies and experience.

As on date, total of 274 districts have been affected by COVID-19 virus in the country.

An advisory has been issued by ICMR regarding rapid antibody based blood tests for COVID-19, in clusters (with containment zones), and in large migration gatherings/evacuees centres. As per the advisory, facilities will ensure that the reporting of the test is fed directly to the ICMR portal. This will expedite the process of contact tracing and timely treatment.

Also according to a recent advisory issued by ICMR, spitting in public places can increase the spread of COVID-19 virus. In view of the increasing danger of the COVID-19 pandemic, people are urged to refrain from consuming the smokeless tobacco products, and spitting in public places during the COVID-19 epidemic.

As of now, 3374 confirmed cases and 79 deaths have been reported. 267 persons have been cured/discharged from the hospitals after recovery.

For all authentic & updated information on COVID-19 related technical issues, guidelines & advisories please regularly visit: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/.

Technical queries related to COVID-19 may be emailed at technicalquery.covid19[at]gov[dot]in and other queries on ncov2019[at]gov[dot]in .In case of any queries on COVID-19, please call at Ministry of Health & Family Welfare helpline no. : +91-11-23978046 or 1075 (Toll-free). List of helpline numbers of States/UTs on COVID-19 is also available at https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/coronvavirushelplinenumber.pdf .

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MV