Page 6 - Health Ministry

RT-PCR test report must for travellers from China, 4 other countries

A pre-departure RT-PCR negative test report will be mandatory from January 1, 2023 for passengers coming in all international flights from China, Singapore, Hong Kong, the Republic of Korea, Thailand and Japan. From January 1, 2023, airlines are directed to modify their check-in functionalities to incorporate the changes and issue boarding passes only to those international passengers travelling from these five countries who have submitted self-declaration forms on the Air Suvidha portal. The Ministry of Civil Aviation on December 30, issued revised Covid guidelines for passengers arriving in international flights. RT-PCR testing should have been done 72 hours prior to undertaking the journey. The current practice of random testing of 2 per cent of arriving passengers in each international flight will also continue. These decisions have been taken amid rising cases of coronavirus infections in various parts of the world and reports regarding the circulation of variants of SARS-CoV

India logs 226 fresh coronavirus cases; active tally increase to 3,653

India reported 226 fresh Covid cases on Saturday in the last 24 hours, a marginal decline against against the 243 infections registered the previous day, the Union Health Ministry said

Over 150,000 Ayushman Bharat centres operational before Dec 31: Health Min

India has surpassed a notable landmark, as 150,000 Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs) have been operationalised before December 31, the Union Health Ministry said

India to require Covid test for arrivals from China, 4 other Asian nations

Health Minister Mandaviya asks pharma firms to ensure adequate stock of Covid-19 drugs

India logs 268 fresh Covid-19 cases in last 24 hrs; recovery rate at 98.80%

India reported 268 fresh Covid cases in the last 24 hours against 188 cases reported on the previous day, said the Union Health Ministry on Thursday

Daily vaccination rates in India surge two-fold amid global Covid scare

This despite an infection rate of about 150-200 cases a day; Vaccine makers say there are sufficient stocks to meet rising demand

India logs 157 new Covid-19 infections, active cases tally at 3,421

India recorded a single-day rise of 157 new COVID-19 cases, while the count of active cases of the disease has marginally decreased to 3,421, according to Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday. The tally of Covid cases in the country has now gone up to 4.46 crore (4,46,77,459). The death toll due to the disease stands at 5,30,696 with one fatality being reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am showed. The daily positivity rate was recorded at 0.32 per cent, while the weekly positivity was pegged at 0.18 per cent, the health ministry said. It said 49,464 tests for detection of COVID-19 were conducted in the last 24 hours. Active cases now comprise 0.01 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has increased to 98.80 per cent, according to the ministry. A decrease of seven cases was recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease has surged to 4,41,43,342 whi

Odisha govt health scheme helps over 600,000 poor people get free treatment

Over 6 lakh people belonging to poor families in Odisha availed of cashless and free treatment in several private hospitals under the state government's health scheme, Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY), in 2022, officials said. As many as 6.31 lakh poor people, having either the BSKY smart card or the PDS card, were provided high-quality and free treatment in different speciality hospitals in the private sector from January 1 to December 25 this year. The information was revealed at a recent performance review meeting chaired by Health and Family Welfare secretary Shalini Pandit, the officials said. The state government has paid around Rs 1,389 crore to the empanelled private sector hospitals towards free treatment of the poor patients, she said. Chief Executive Officer of State Health Assurance Society Dr Brundha D said these patients were from all 30 districts of Odisha. The patients were also provided hand-holding support by the Swasthya Mitras' engaged by the Odisha governmen

Two persons returning from abroad test Covid positive at Kolkata airport

Patients are kept in quarantine in Beliaghata ID Hospital

States start mock drills, get the beds and O2 ready to take on Covid

The airport tests are aimed at a 2 per cent sample of all incoming international travellers

Steps taken to prevent Covid, people should follow precautions: Haryana Min

Haryana Home and Health Minister Anil Vij on Sunday said that adequate arrangements have been made to prevent a Covid-19 surge in the State

Amid Covid concerns, random post-arrival testing begins at Delhi Airport

Following the advisory issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has commenced random post-arrival testing for International arrivals at Delhi Airport

States to conduct mock drills next week to review Covid preparedness

Specific focus on oxygen plants, ventilators, logistics and human resources; aim is to check whether the equipment is in running condition, or needs refurbishment

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Mandaviya to hold meeting with state health ministers over Covid surge

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will hold a meeting with health ministers of states and Union territories on Friday over rising COVID-19 cases in some parts of the world. Mandaviya made a suo motu statement in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday on India's preparedness. "We are constantly monitoring the situation. There are no direct flights between China and India but people come via other routes," he said. He said the focus is to ensure that no unknown variant of the virus enters India and at the same time there is no impediment to travelling. As China and some other countries witness a surge in Covid cases, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday cautioned against complacency, called for strict vigil and directed that the ongoing surveillance measures, especially at international airports, be strengthened. "Covid is not over yet," Modi reiterated at a high-level Covid review meeting and urged people to wear masks in crowded places. The Union Health Ministry asked the Civil ..

Centre on mission to enhance public health by quality drugs: Mandaviya

Cente is on a mission to safeguard and enhance public health by ensuring top notch quality drugs, cosmetics, and medical devices along with maintaining their safety and efficacy, Health Minister said

Mandatory Covid tests for all international passengers if needed, says Govt

In the wake of surge in COVID-19 cases in many countries, India has started 2 per cent random sampling of international travellers coming to the country and may consider making it mandatory for all if necessary, Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Thursday. He was responding to queries of some Opposition MPs after his suo moto statement in Rajya Sabha on the latest COVID-19 situation and India's preparedness. "We are constantly monitoring the situation. There are no direct flights between China and India but people come via other routes," he said in response to a query by Raghav Chadha of AAP on whether the government would ban direct flights from China. As a health minister, Mandaviya said he has spoken to many countries and WHO about what all precautions are needed to be taken and also understand in which direction the pandemic is moving. "At a primary stage, we have already started doing 2 per cent random sampling of any traveller coming to India," he said. The minister .

Test, vax details could be asked for those from nations with Covid surge

The Union health ministry is examining the reintroduction of mandatory 'air suvidha' forms with details of RT-PCR test conducted 72 hours prior to travel or complete vaccination proof for passengers coming from China and other countries reporting high number of Covid cases. A decision on this will be taken after monitoring the situation for a few weeks. The move comes following a meeting chaired by Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday to review the Covid situation in the country, in view of a sudden spurt in cases in China and some other countries. Random sample testing for coronavirus will be conducted at airports for passengers arriving from China and other countries because of the recent surge in cases in some parts of the world, official sources had said on Wednesday. "The health ministry is examining reintroduction of mandatory 'air suvidha' forms for international arrivals with details of RT-PCR test conducted 72 hours prior to travel or complete vaccination .

Mask up, take the jab, Covid is not over yet, Centre cautions citizens

A new and highly transmissible BF.7 strain of the Omicron variant is behind a widespread surge of Covid infections in China

Govt reviews Covid situation; advises people to mask up, get vaccinated

In view of a sudden spurt in COVID cases in China and some other countries, the Union health minister on Wednesday reviewed the situation in the country and asked people to follow COVID-appropriate behaviour, including wearing masks in crowded places, and get vaccinated. "COVID is not over yet. I have directed all concerned to be alert and strengthen surveillance. We are prepared to manage any situation," Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said. During the meeting, attended by experts and senior officials, the minister was briefed on the global COVID-19 situation and the domestic scenario, including the preparedness of all stakeholders. Noting that only 27-28 per cent of India's eligible population have taken the precaution dose of COVID-19, NITI Aayog member (Health) Dr V K Paul, after the meeting, said people should take the jab and also wear masks in crowded places. Paul urged people not to panic and said that there was no change in the guidelines for international air tra