| The Government has advised the States and Union Territories to proactively take steps towards reducing case fatality to less than one per cent. Cabinet Secretary yesterday reviewed the COVID-19 situation with nine States and Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir with high case fatality. The States are Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, Gujarat, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. It was observed that out of the total deaths in the country in the last two weeks, 89 per cent of deaths are in these States and Union Territory. During the meeting, States and the Union Territory were advised for effective containment, contact tracing and surveillance. They were also advised to ensure that at least in 80 per cent of new positive cases, all close contacts should be traced and tested with 72 hours. The States have been asked to put in public domain the availability of beds and ambulances across COVID facilities. They have been asked to monitor week-wise fatality rates for each health facility with particular focus on vulnerable patients. The Chief Secretaries explained about the current situation in the States and the Union Territory and their preparedness to tackle the spread of COVID-19 and health infrastructure available to meet the challenge. They also highlighted steps taken towards reducing case fatality as well as involving community in terms of COVID safe behaviour. |
