COVID spike: Ahead of festive season, Centre asks states to focus on testing, tracking and treating

New Delhi: Amid increase in COVID-19 cases, the Union Health Ministry on Tuesday wrote letters to states and Union Territories advising them to focus on five-fold strategy of testing, tracking, treating, vaccinating and asking people to adher to Covid appropriate behaviour in view of the upcoming festive season when states are likely to witness mass gatherings.

In a letter to states and UTs on Tuesday, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan asked the states and UTs to ensure that people taking part in mass gatherings and undertaking pilgrimage are asymptomatic and preferably fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

While the trajectory of COVID-19 cases has declined significantly from levels that were observed in earlier part of this year, a few states/UTs are witnessing a sustained upswing in the cases currently.

The health ministry cautioned the states that huge gatherings during the festivities in the coming months may lead to transmission of infectious diseases, including COVID-19.

Bhushan stated that gains made so far by collaborative efforts of Central and State Governments against the fight against coronavirus should not be lost.

Healthcare workers, other frontline workers, volunteers engaged during such events by state/district administration and organisers of such events should be asymptomatic and preferably fully vaccinated against COVID-19, he said in his letter.

"During many such events/yatras lakhs of individuals undertake intra- and inter-state journey spanning hundreds of kilometres with halting points arranged by volunteers and community-based social/religious organisations. Such congregations may potentially facilitate transmission of infectious diseases, including COVID-19," Bhushan said.

"All states and UTs where such mass gatherings/yatras are proposed to be held should widely publicise that all individuals planning to participate in such gatherings/events are asymptomatic and preferably fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If need be a special drive for primary vaccination and precaution dose administration to all eligible people may be taken by the administration at least a fortnight in advance for those planning to join," he said in the letter.