Centre asks states to step up surveillance to curb Covid-19 spread

The Centre has asked states to enhance surveillance of Covid-19 infection with focus on early detection, screening and timely management. In his second letter this week, the Union health secretary has asked states to follow operational guidelines for revised surveillance strategy for Covid-19 as issued on June 9. The idea is to integrate Covid surveillance in the long term with the existing Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) mechanism.

States have been asked to screen 2 per cent of international travellers randomly with RT-PCR tests and send all positive samples for genomic sequencing. Passengers who test positive need to be isolated and clinically managed. Also, 5 percent of all influenza-like illnesses will be tested with RT-PCR. State IDSPs will share such data on a fortnightly basis with the Centre.

Diagnostic laboratories that are carrying out Covid testing should upload their data on the Indian Council of Medical Research database, the Centre said.

The states have also been directed to take up community-based surveillance measures for early detection of unusual events or outbreaks. Sewage surveillance will also continue to get early warning signs.