MHFW issues advisory on COVID-19 spike
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 30 2025: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued an advisory to all states and union territories on Thursday to review the overall preparedness in light of the recent rise in acute respiratory illness (ARI) cases due to SARS-CoV2 (Covid-19) being reported in some parts of the country.

An action taken report is to be submitted to the ministry by June 2 .

As of May 28, a total of 1,621 active COVID-19 cases have been reported in the country, with six states - Kerala, Maharashtra, Delhi, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka - accounting for more than 90 per cent of all active cases.

While a large majority of these cases are mild, states and UTs have been advised to ensure abundant precaution.

The measures prescribed by the Ministry include review of the overall preparedness of hospitals at district and sub-district levels, as well as medical colleges, municipal hospitals, and other teaching or tertiary care institutions; focus on availability of diagnostics, essential drugs, medical oxygen and other equipment; samples of SARI-positive cases to be sent to Regional VRDL centres for whole genomic sequencing; all COVID-19-related data, including specific co-morbidities, must be regularly entered on the IDSP-IHIP portal; district surveillance units under IDSP to closely monitor the trend of ILI/SARI cases in their areas and track the proportion of SARI cases among all ILI and SARI cases.

The advisory also highlighted IEC activities to promote community observance of hand and respiratory hygiene and to prevent acts that violate public health norms.

People belonging to special consideration groups have been advised to avoid poorly ventilated areas and to resume the use of masks.

In case of symptoms, even if minimal, people have been instructed to report to the nearest health facilities.

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