Mock drills in hospitals every three months even as the pandemic is over

Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya asks hospitals to be prepared for Covid, as India reports 341 fresh cases

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday asked hospitals in the country to conduct mock drills once every three months to prepare for any potential wave of Covid-19, as India witnesses a gradual rise in the number of cases after the detection of the new JN.1 sub-variant.

The health ministry held a virtual review meeting with officials and health ministers of various states to assess the current scenario and preparedness for Covid-19.

Addressing the meeting, Mandaviya said it was time to work together in a “whole of government” approach. “It is important to be prepared with mock drills of hospital preparedness, increased surveillance, and effective communication with people,” he said.

The health minister asked the states to be on alert, but not panic about the rise in cases, and assured that the Centre will provide all possible support.

According to the health ministry, India reported 341 fresh cases of Covid-19 on Wednesday, 292 of which were reported in Kerala. This takes the total number of active cases to 2,311. The ministry also reported three deaths, all of them in Kerala.

The first case of the JN.1 sub-variant in India was identified in a 79-year-old woman in Kerala earlier this month. The state has reported a subsequent increase in the number of Covid-19 cases. Neighbouring Karnataka has already issued advisories to its citizens to start wearing masks and follow Covid guidelines.

V K Paul, member (health), NITI Aayog, said that 21 cases of JN.1 had so far been detected in three states — Goa, Kerala and Maharashtra. “Ninety-one to 92 per cent of those infected are opting for home-based treatment,” he added.

The Centre has directed the states and Union Territories to strengthen their surveillance system for genome sequencing of positive case samples by the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) network to ensure timely detection of newer variants circulating in the country.

States have also been requested to ramp up testing and refer large numbers of Covid-19 positive samples and cases of pneumonia-like illness to INSACOG Genome Sequencing Laboratories on a daily basis.

The minister also urged the states to take preventive measures in view of the cold conditions during the winter season, and the coming festival season. Apart from Paul, Rajeev Bahl, director general of Indian Council of Medical Research, and Soumya Swaminathan, former chief scientist of World Health Organization, also attended the review meeting.