Union Minister asked 4 North East state to increase COVID-19 testing

According to news report, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan asked four northeastern states – Tripura, Manipur, Meghalaya and Mizoram – to increase testing on high risk groups and vulnerable population to check the spread of Covid-19 during a meeting via video conferencing with seven states on Thursday.

The Health Minister said “With 70 per cent of cases concentrated in Mizoram capital Aizawl, the state is witnessing a rise in active cases. Tripura and Meghalaya too are witnessing higher deaths (37 per cent) in the active age groups (45-60 years), which are preventable,”

Further advised the states to focus on higher testing, especially in districts with higher positivity rate, mandatory Rapid Antigen Test of symptomatic negatives, focus on high risk groups and vulnerable population for SARI (severe acute respiratory illness) and ILI (influenza-like illness) surveillance which can give indication of infection, increase contact tracing of close contacts of positive cases, proper follow-up and monitoring of those in home isolation, especially the vulnerable groups.