Centre to States: Focus on aggressive & sustained genome sequencing

The Centre has advised all States and Union Territories to focus on aggressive and sustained genome sequencing and intensified surveillance and keep an overall vigil on the Covid-19 situation. It has asked to observe all precautions and not let the guard down while resuming the economic and social activities. Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan has written a letter to Chief Secretaries and administrators of all states and UTs in this regard. He said, the resurgence has been observed in Covid-19 cases across Southeast Asia and some countries of Europe.  Bhushan emphasized that there should be a continued focus on the five-fold strategy - Test, Track, Treat, Vaccination and adherence to COVID Appropriate Behavior.
Health Secretary said, States have to ensure that all eligible persons are motivated to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as per the recent expansion of vaccination drive to young adults and precautionary doses for adults besides the completion of doses for all adults. Bhushan said, the State machinery should create required awareness and ensure adherence to COVID Appropriate Behavior - wearing of face masks, maintaining physical distancing in all public areas and practice of effective hand and respiratory hygiene.