Alarmed over a slight increase in Covid cases, the Union health ministry has asked the five states reporting higher infections to tighten their vigil and urged them not let to their guard down.

In a letter to Delhi, Haryana, Kerala, Maharashtra and Mizoram states, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan has asked them to maintain a strict watch and take any pre-emptive action required.

"Given that the states/UTs have been undertaking various measures to reopen economic and social activities, there is a need for continuous follow up of a risk assessment-based approach for management of COVID 19," Mr Bhushan wrote.

These states have been told to continue the five-fold strategy, including testing, tracking, treating, vaccination and adherence to Covid appropriate behaviour.

"It is essential that the state must maintain a strict watch and take pre-emptive action if required in any areas of concern to control any emerging spread of infection. Testing and surveillance still remain important to track the virus, its spread and evolution," Bhushan said in the letter.

Among the five states, Kerala saw a massive jump in Covid infections in the past one week.

The southern state reported 2,321 new cases in the last week, accounting to 31.8 per cent of India's new cases. The weekly positivity rate in the state has also gone up to 15.53 per cent from 13.45 per cent.

The national capital Delhi’s weekly new cases reported a rise from 724 new cases in the week ending April 1 to 826 new cases in the last week (ending April 8), accounting to 11.33 per cent of India's new cases.

It has also seen an increase in positivity in the last week from 0.51 per cent to 1.25 per cent. &nbsp;

Haryana has reported an increase in weekly new cases from 367 new cases in the week ending (April 1) to 416 new cases in the last week (ending April 8), accounting to 5.70 per cent of India's new cases. The state has also seen an increase in positivity in the last week from 0.51 per cent to 1.06 per cent.

Maharashtra has reported 794 new cases in the last week (ending April 8), accounting for 10.9 per cent of India's new cases. The state has also seen an increase in positivity in the last week from 0.39 per cent to 0.43 per cent. &nbsp;

Mizoram has reported 814 new cases in the last week (ending April 8), accounting to 11.16 per cent of India's new cases and also seen an increase in positivity in the last week from 14.38 per cent to 16.48 per cent, the letter to the state highlighted.

(With inputs from agencies)

Alarmed over a slight increase in Covid cases, the Union health ministry has asked the five states reporting higher infections to tighten their vigil and urged them not let to their guard down.

Alarmed over a slight increase in Covid cases, the Union health ministry has asked the five states reporting higher infections to tighten their vigil and urged them not let to their guard down. In a letter to Delhi, Haryana, Kerala, Maharashtra and Mizoram states, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan has asked them to maintain a strict watch and take any pre-emptive action required. "Given that the states/UTs have been undertaking various measures to reopen economic and social activities, there is a need for continuous follow up of a risk assessment-based approach for management of COVID 19," Mr Bhushan wrote. These states have been told to continue the five-fold strategy, including testing, tracking, treating, vaccination and adherence to Covid appropriate behaviour. "It is essential that the state must maintain a strict watch and take pre-emptive action if required in any areas of concern to control any emerging spread of infection. Testing and surveillance still remain important to track the virus, its spread and evolution," Bhushan said in the letter. Among the five states, Kerala saw a massive jump in Covid infections in the past one week. The southern state reported 2,321 new cases in the last week, accounting to 31.8 per cent of India's new cases. The weekly positivity rate in the state has also gone up to 15.53 per cent from 13.45 per cent. The national capital Delhi’s weekly new cases reported a rise from 724 new cases in the week ending April 1 to 826 new cases in the last week (ending April 8), accounting to 11.33 per cent of India's new cases. It has also seen an increase in positivity in the last week from 0.51 per cent to 1.25 per cent. Haryana has reported an increase in weekly new cases from 367 new cases in the week ending (April 1) to 416 new cases in the last week (ending April 8), accounting to 5.70 per cent of India's new cases. The state has also seen an increase in positivity in the last week from 0.51 per cent to 1.06 per cent. Maharashtra has reported 794 new cases in the last week (ending April 8), accounting for 10.9 per cent of India's new cases. The state has also seen an increase in positivity in the last week from 0.39 per cent to 0.43 per cent. Mizoram has reported 814 new cases in the last week (ending April 8), accounting to 11.16 per cent of India's new cases and also seen an increase in positivity in the last week from 14.38 per cent to 16.48 per cent, the letter to the state highlighted. (With inputs from agencies)

Rise in Covid cases: Union government asks these five Indian states to maintain strict watch

In a bid to improve the vaccination rate, the chief minister (CM) of India’s south Kerala state announced that those who are not following COVID-19 prevention measures, like vaccination, will not be provided free treatment.

CM Pinarayi Vijayan also said that teachers and staff of educational institutions who have not taken both doses of the vaccine due to any illness or allergies, must produce a government doctor's certificate or they should get vaccinated before taking classes.

If they do not get vaccinated, they will have to get a negative RT-PCR test every week at their own cost, he said and added that these directions were being issued to ensure safety of the students going back to school and colleges.

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No more free treatment for those who do not cooperate with Covid prevention measures. Non vaccinated teachers and employees who work from offices or interact with public, will have to submit weekly results of RTPCR tests, paid for by themselves, to ensure safety of all.
— Pinarayi Vijayan (@vijayanpinarayi) <a href="https://twitter.com/vijayanpinarayi/status/1465692111219531780?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2021</a></blockquote>
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These directions would also apply to employees working in offices and public places, he said in the meeting according to the release.

The CM, in a Covid review meeting, said the government will not pay for the treatment of those who become COVID positive without receiving the vaccine, according to a release issued by the state government. Those who are unable to get vaccinated due to diseases, allergies, etc. should produce a government doctor's certificate, he said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/omicron-in-india-dont-need-fear-says-health-ministry-as-first-2-cases-found-one-patient-fully-vaccinated-433526">Omicron in India: Don't need fear, says health ministry as first 2 cases found; one patient fully vaccinated</a>

He further said that the health department has been directed to organise a special vaccination drive from December 1 to 15 in the state and District Collectors have been asked to make preparations for the same.

In view of the new variant of coronavirus, he has directed strengthening of the vigilance, including strict checking of travel history of those arriving from abroad, in the state and ensuring adherence to the COVID protocols without any lapse, the release said.

Kerala on Wednesday recorded 5,405 fresh COVID-19 cases and 403 deaths, raising the caseload to 51,35,390 and the toll to 40,535 respectively.

(With inputs from agencies)

In a bid to improve the vaccination rate, the chief minister (CM) of India’s south Kerala state announced that those who are not following COVID-19 prevention measures, like vaccination, will not be provided free treatment.

In a bid to improve the vaccination rate, the chief minister (CM) of India’s south Kerala state announced that those who are not following COVID-19 prevention measures, like vaccination, will not be provided free treatment. CM Pinarayi Vijayan also said that teachers and staff of educational institutions who have not taken both doses of the vaccine due to any illness or allergies, must produce a government doctor's certificate or they should get vaccinated before taking classes. If they do not get vaccinated, they will have to get a negative RT-PCR test every week at their own cost, he said and added that these directions were being issued to ensure safety of the students going back to school and colleges. No more free treatment for those who do not cooperate with Covid prevention measures. Non vaccinated teachers and employees who work from offices or interact with public, will have to submit weekly results of RTPCR tests, paid for by themselves, to ensure safety of all. — Pinarayi Vijayan (@vijayanpinarayi) November 30, 2021 × These directions would also apply to employees working in offices and public places, he said in the meeting according to the release. The CM, in a Covid review meeting, said the government will not pay for the treatment of those who become COVID positive without receiving the vaccine, according to a release issued by the state government. Those who are unable to get vaccinated due to diseases, allergies, etc. should produce a government doctor's certificate, he said. Also read | Omicron in India: Don't need fear, says health ministry as first 2 cases found; one patient fully vaccinated He further said that the health department has been directed to organise a special vaccination drive from December 1 to 15 in the state and District Collectors have been asked to make preparations for the same. In view of the new variant of coronavirus, he has directed strengthening of the vigilance, including strict checking of travel history of those arriving from abroad, in the state and ensuring adherence to the COVID protocols without any lapse, the release said. Kerala on Wednesday recorded 5,405 fresh COVID-19 cases and 403 deaths, raising the caseload to 51,35,390 and the toll to 40,535 respectively. (With inputs from agencies)

No free Covid treatment if not vaccinated in this southern Indian state

Amid a massive surge in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus </a>cases, the southern Indian state of Kerala on Thursday announced a complete lockdown from May 8.&nbsp;

The decision comes as Kerala on Wednesday recorded nearly 42,000 infections, the state's highest single-day cases so far.&nbsp;

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan said that the lockdown will be imposed in the state from May 8 at 6 am and will remain in place to May 16, as reported by news agency ANI.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

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Vijayan had on Wednesday hinted at tightening restrictions as he expressed concerns over a "very serious situation".&nbsp;

"The state is going through a very serious situation and Covid is spreading rapidly. All figures are increasing and the test positivity rate is not reducing either. In these circumstances, we need to strengthen the restrictions," Vijayan was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. &nbsp;

The chief minister also said that as cases are rising, the oxygen stock is decreasing "very rapidly," urging the central government to address the issue.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/experts-make-dire-projections-amid-second-covid-wave-as-india-faces-medical-shortages-383084">Experts make dire projections amid second Covid wave as India faces medical shortages</a>

"In this scenario, we need the Centre's help in maintaining adequate stock of oxygen. I have requested the prime minister to provide 1,000 MT of imported liquefied medical oxygen to the state," Vijayan said.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, India on Thursday witnessed another grim milestone with a daily record of 412,262 new infections.

With 3,980 fresh fatalities, India's death toll stands at 230,168.&nbsp;

Amid a massive surge in coronavirus cases, the southern Indian state of Kerala on Thursday announced a complete lockdown from May 8. The decision comes as Kerala on Wednesday recorded nearly 42,000 infections, the state's highest single-day cases so far.

Amid a massive surge in coronavirus cases, the southern Indian state of Kerala on Thursday announced a complete lockdown from May 8. The decision comes as Kerala on Wednesday recorded nearly 42,000 infections, the state's highest single-day cases so far. Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan said that the lockdown will be imposed in the state from May 8 at 6 am and will remain in place to May 16, as reported by news agency ANI. Watch | Vijayan had on Wednesday hinted at tightening restrictions as he expressed concerns over a "very serious situation". "The state is going through a very serious situation and Covid is spreading rapidly. All figures are increasing and the test positivity rate is not reducing either. In these circumstances, we need to strengthen the restrictions," Vijayan was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. The chief minister also said that as cases are rising, the oxygen stock is decreasing "very rapidly," urging the central government to address the issue. Also read | Experts make dire projections amid second Covid wave as India faces medical shortages "In this scenario, we need the Centre's help in maintaining adequate stock of oxygen. I have requested the prime minister to provide 1,000 MT of imported liquefied medical oxygen to the state," Vijayan said. Meanwhile, India on Thursday witnessed another grim milestone with a daily record of 412,262 new infections. With 3,980 fresh fatalities, India's death toll stands at 230,168.

COVID-19 in India: Southern state of Kerala announces complete lockdown