NEW DELHI: Delhi Disaster Management Authority asked civic authorities to undertake aggressive and targeted surveillance and testing for Covid-19 and address any trends of a coronavirus surge.
Experts at Friday’s DDMA meeting asked the health department to undertake an advanced sero survey that considers extended epidemiological dimensions in order to identify susceptible pools and augment the genome sequencing efforts to establish ways of prioritising Covid vaccination.
Lieutenant governor Anil Baijal chaired the DDMA meeting to review the Covid situation in Delhi and the city’s preparedness for the coming months. Also present were chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, deputy CM Manish Sisodia, health minister Satyendar Jain and minister Kailash Gahlot, the chief secretary, Niti Aayog’s Dr VK Paul, Delhi police commissioner, AIIMS director Dr Randeep Guleria and professor Balram Bhargava of ICMR.
It was suggested at the meeting that the comfort provided by the current controlled situation should be utilised for undertaking an advanced serological survey that takes into account extended epidemiological dimensions so as to identify susceptible pools and augment the genome sequencing efforts with the aim of prioritising vaccination for different groups. “The health department has been advised to plan an advanced sero survey with extended epidemiological dimensions,” said a government official.
The experts appreciated the efforts undertaken to achieve and maintain the current Covid status under which the overall positivity rate has consistently remained below 0.1% for a very long time following the peak of a resurgent wave towards the third week of April.
DDMA stressed upon continued vigil and caution because when the Covid situation remains under control for a long time there are chances that the district authorities will become complacent and let slip the rigidity of the vigil. Any laxity in vigil and caution could trigger a surge in infection.
The experts suggested that all steps relating to preparedness for any probable surge of infections, in terms of hospital infrastructure and oxygen and drugs availability, should be put in place and operationalised by August-end. DDMA also reiterated the need for continuing testing, treating and tracking strategy and ensuring constant vigil and strict enforcement of Covid-appropriate behaviour.
During a recent review of the pandemic situation in the city, the health department was asked to ensure commissioning of all PSA oxygen plants, liquid medical oxygen storage tanks and cryogenic bottling plants latest by August 31 and make provisions for adequate buffer of medicines for treating Covid and black fungus.
