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Health ministry asks states, UTs to maintain optimum testing amid Covid surge

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Shagun
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Health ministry asks states, UTs to maintain optimum testing amid Covid surge
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New Delhi, March 25: Health Ministry issued new instructions on Saturday in response to an increase in coronavirus cases reported across the country. The government also expressed concern about insufficient Covid-19 testing in some states.

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“In the past several weeks, in some states, Covid-19 testing has declined and the current testing levels are insufficient as compared to the standards prescribed by WHO i.e 140 tests/million. Testing at the level of districts and blocks also varies, with some states heavily relying on the less sensitive rapid antigen tests,” the ministry said.

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The health ministry advised that it is vital to maintain optimum Covid-19 testing that is evenly spread among states (with appropriate adaptations to address the emergence of new clusters of Covid cases).

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“This is especially important to identify any emerging hotspots and take pre-emptive steps to curb virus transmission."

A nationwide mock drill will also be held on April 10 and 11 across health facilities to assess their preparedness, according to the senior official. “The exact details of the mock drill shall be communicated to the states in the virtual meeting scheduled on Monday, March 27,” he said.

The Union Health Ministry has encouraged states and union territories to implement a five-fold plan to 'test, track, treat, monitor Covid-appropriate behaviour, and vaccinate' in order to prevent the spread of Covid illness.

Also Read: 'Operation Amritpal': Manhunt for Amritpal Singh in Delhi

- PTC NEWS
covid-testing health-ministry health-ministry-guidelines fresh-covid-cases coronavirus-cases-in-india
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