Check preparedness of hospitals: Maharashtra’s Health dept to civic bodies amid rise in Covid cases

“As on May 28, there are a total of 1,621 active cases of Covid-19 in the country. More than 90 per cent of the total active cases in the country are in six states (Kerala, Maharashtra, Delhi, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka). Maharashtra currently has approximately 506 active cases, most of which are in Mumbai,” said the letter sent by secretaries of state’s Public Health Department to all municipal commissioners, district collectors and chief executive officers of all zilla parishads in the state.

The letter noted that most of these cases are mild but as an adequate precaution, the guidelines issued by the central government need to be followed.

“Viral diseases like influenza, SARS-CoV-2, RSV due to various causes appear in the community as seasonal upswings. Some parts of the country are witnessing a significant but gradual increase in cases of acute respiratory infections (ARIs). It is important to note that most cases are mild. The currently circulating Omicron variants are JN 1, XFG and LF 7.9. These variants cause mild illness such as fever, cough and sore throat, which usually resolve on their own,” it said.

The department has directed that the preparedness of hospitals at the district, sub-district level as well as in medical colleges, other educational or tertiary institutions, municipal or municipal council hospitals and all other inpatient facilities should be reviewed.

“Emphasis should be placed on adequate availability of diagnostics, essential medicines, PPES, isolation beds, medical oxygen, ICU and ventilator beds. Mock Drills should be conducted to ensure the efficiency of PSA plants and overall Oxygen Preparedness. An action report on the action taken in this regard should be submitted immediately,” it said.

The letter added that as per the “operational guidelines for revised surveillance strategy in context of Covid-19” of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, it is important to send samples of all Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) cases and five per cent of Influenza like Illness (ILI) cases for testing.

Samples of positive SARI cases must be sent to Regional VRDL Centres for whole genomic sequencing. The district surveillance unit under IDSP should closely monitor the trend of SARI/ILI cases in their area.

The proportion of SARI cases among all ILI/SARI cases should be monitored.

All data related to Covid-19, including specific comorbidities, should be regularly entered on IDSP-IHIP.

IEC activities should be undertaken to encourage community adherence to hygienic behaviors.

The elderly, people with comorbidities and immunocompromised people in these groups should avoid going to poorly ventilated or crowded places or use a face mask in such places.

“Patients with symptoms of acute respiratory illness should self-monitor their health and report to the nearest health facilities if they experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, etc,” it said.