Masks to be an integral part of life to fight Covid-19

Courtesy: Economic Times

Bengaluru, April 20: Following rise in number of Covid-19 cases in few states, the centre advised Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Haryana and Mizoram to monitor the spread of the infection and follow adequate measures for effective management of the pandemic. This surge is also an indication of fourth wave.

In this background Karnataka health ministry is also likely to issue directions on following covid appropriate behaviour and compulsorily wearing masks, especially at crowded places.

As the Covid-19 were dropping people have shed the masks which were part and parcel of everyday life.

Union Health secretary Rajesh Bhushan called for the states to monitor clusters, intensify genome-sequencing, monitoring of severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) and influenza cases in hospitals and urged stricter vigil on the pandemic situation

Some states have started to contribute to nation’s higher positivity rate. Hence, union health ministry has cautioned all states/Union Territories to strictly follow a risk-assessment based approach on the opening of economic and social activities.

Apart from implementing the five-fold strategy of test, track, treat, vaccination and adherence to Covid-appropriate behaviour the centre has emphasised on wearing masks in crowded places.

Bhushan suggested “monitoring of Influenza-like illnesses (ILI) & severe acute respiratory illness cases in all health facilities on a regular basis for detecting early warning signals of the spread of infection”.

The health ministry also warned states against laxity and said it can nullify the gains in pandemic management so far.

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