are health faacilities ready to tackle possible covid spike.................

 

Are health facilities ready to tackle possible COVID spike? Mock drills across India today – Key points

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has said all state health ministers will take part at their level in the mock drill to be conducted as part of precautionary measures following an increase in infections in China and other countries.

Written by: Siddhi Gaharwar

Updated Dec 27, 2022 | 08:16 AM IST

COVID mock drills in India today - File pic

Photo : PTI

New Delhi: Amid fears of a possible spike in COVID cases, India will today hold a mock drill to check the readiness of the health facilities to deal with any surge in coronavirus infections.

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The sudden uptick in COVID-19 cases in China and several other countries across the globe has triggered an alarm in India with the Centre urging people to take precautionary measures to remain safe and be vigilant.

Mock drills to check COVID preparedness - Key points

• Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has said all state health ministers will take part at their level in the mock drill to be conducted as part of precautionary measures following an increase in infections in China and other countries.
• Mandaviya stressed that such “exercises would help our operational readiness, help in filling gaps if any and will consequently strengthen our public health response.” He said at a meeting with doctors from the Indian Medical Association (IMA).
• Mandaviya will visit Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital at 9:45 am to take stock of the mock drill to be conducted there.
• The mock drills will focus on parameters such as availability of health facilities in all districts, capacity of isolation beds, oxygen-supported beds, ICU (intensive care unit) beds and ventilator-supported beds.
• The exercise will also focus on human resource capacity in terms of healthcare professionals trained on COVID-19 management, healthcare professionals trained in ventilatory management protocol for severe cases, healthcare workers trained in operation of medical oxygen plants etc and availability of Advanced and Basic Life Support (ALS/BLS) ambulances, testing equipment and reagents and that of essential drugs among others.
• Amid a sudden rise in COVID-19 cases in China and several other countries across the world, the Central government has stepped up measures to avert a possible spread of the virus and urged all states and UTs to ramp up the whole genome sequencing of positive samples of COVID to keep track of emerging variants.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting to assess the COVID-19 situation in the country, and cautioned against complacency and advised strict vigil. He reiterated that COVID is not over yet and directed officials to strengthen the ongoing surveillance measures, especially at the international airports.
• In view of the global surge in COVID cases, several states have also issued fresh guidelines and urged people to wear masks in public places.