In view of rising number of Covid cases, the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Mansukh Mandaviya today said it is important to be alert.

He said, “COVID is not over yet. Also one must not forget COVID Appropriate behaviour (CAB) such as wearing masks and maintaining physical distance to prevent spread of the infection.”

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While chairing a meeting through Video Conference (VC) today with Health Ministers and senior officials of States and Union Territories (UTs) to review the progress of vaccination exercise HarGharDastak 2.0 campaign, Mandaviya highlighted on increased case positivity in some districts and States.

He also stressed on reduced COVID-19 testing, and stated that increased and timely testing will enable early identification of COVID cases and help to curb spread of the infection among the community.

He urged States/UTs to continue and strengthen the surveillance and focus on genome sequencing for identifying new mutants/variants in the country.

The Health minister also stated that the five-fold strategy of Test, Track, Treat, Vaccination & Adherence to Covid Appropriate Behavior (CAB) needs to be continued and monitored by States/UTs.

“States were also urged to focus on implementing the Operational Guidelines for Revised Surveillance Strategy for COVID-19 which focuses on surveillance of incoming international travellers and surveillance through health facilities, labs, community etc,” he added.

Stressing on the importance of COVID vaccination among the vulnerable age groups, he urged the State Health Ministers to personally review the status and progress of the special month-long drive Har Ghar Dastak 2.0 campaign which has started since 1 June.

He said “Let us accelerate our efforts to identify all beneficiaries in the 12-17 age group for the 1^st and 2^nd doses, so they can attend schools with the protection of the vaccine”.

Mandaviya urged States for focussed coverage of 12-17 age groups through school-based campaigns (Govt/Private/ informal Schools like Madrasas, Day Care Schools), along with targeted coverage of non-school going children during the summer vacation.

Apart from this, he added that the population group of above 60 years of age is a vulnerable category and needs to be protected with the Precaution Dose.

“Our healthcare workers are going door-to-door to ensure that the vulnerable population is administered the Precaution Dose”, he said.

He said that we can utilize the learning from the first Har Ghar Dastak campaign to achieve 100% coverage among the eligible population for ensuring extended protection against COVID.

“Adequate vaccine doses are available across the country. Let us ensure accelerated coverage of COVID vaccination during the second phase of the Har Ghar Dastak campaign”, he stressed.

This must be ensured through active monitoring and on the basis of “First Expiry First Out ” principle, where doses that expire earlier should be used for vaccination first, the Union Health Minister stated.