Coronavirus India update: Amid local spread of Covid 19 in a few states, the Central Government on Tuesday extended the nationwide containment measures till October 31.
Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, in a communication to the chief secretaries of all states and Union Territories, also cautioned against the possibility of Covid-appropriate behaviour not being adhered to strictly during the upcoming festival.
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Bhalla said as per the latest update on coronavirus in India, the daily cases and the overall number of patients in the country were decreasing steadily. However, there were still localised spreads of the virus in a few states. Therefore, the nationwide containment measures had been extended till October 31, he added.
He said utmost vigil had to be maintained in respect of mass gathering events, so as to avoid any possibility of a surge in Covid-19 cases. “Consequently, large-scale gatherings in fairs, festivals; and religious events and functions may lead to afresh surge in cases in the country,” the communication said.
The Union Home Secretary said states and UTs, on a regular basis, should closely monitor case positivity, hospital, ICU beds occupancy of every district falling under their jurisdiction.
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He said the state governments and UT administrations should continue with their vaccination programme with a focus to accelerate the vaccination of eligible age groups and prioritisation of the second dose to eligible beneficiaries.
“I would also advise that orders issued by the respective state governments and UT administrations or district authorities in this regard should be widely disseminated to the public and to the field functionaries for their proper implementation,” he said.
-With inputs from agencies