GoM stresses on COVID-appropriate behaviour during festivals

NEW DELHI: Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Tuesday chaired the 21st meeting of the high-level Group of Ministers (GoM) on COVID-19.

At the outset, he offered salutations to all the COVID-19 warriors who have been steadfastly fighting against the pandemic since many months. He also informed his colleagues of the sturdy public health response mounted by India in its fight against the pandemic and the encouraging results so far.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep S. Puri, Minister of Civil Aviation, Shipping Minister MansukhLalMandaviya, Minister of State for Health Ashwini Kumar Choubey, NITI Aayog's Member (Health) Vinod K. Paul were also present.

Harsh Vardhan reiterated his concern and appeal to everyone regarding observance of COVID appropriate behaviour during the forthcoming festival season and the winter months, when the likelihood of an increase in the disease is high.

"The Prime Minister has launched the countrywide Jan Andolan to encourage people to adopt and encourage COVID appropriate behaviour to curb spread of the diseases while celebrating the festivals," he stated.

NCDC Director Dr. Sujeet K. Singh presented a detailed report on how the data driven graded government policies have helped India achieve a significant control over the pandemic, showing figures related to number of cases, number of deaths, their growth rate and how they compared favourably to the world due to the aforesaid policy interventions.

While the overall recovery rate for India is 86.36 per cent, he informed that Dadar and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu have the highest recovery rate of 96.25 per cent, followed by Andaman and Nicobar Islands (93.98 per cent) and Bihar (93.89 per cent). Kerala has the lowest recovery rate of 66.31 per cent because of the huge surge in number of cases in the recent days. Pointing out the pattern of Influenza and Vector-Borne Diseases which peak during this season, he noted with concern the less reporting of cases of influenza due to the pandemic.

Reiterating Harsh Vardhan's concern on the fresh challenge to the containment efforts in view of the upcoming winters and festive season, he stressed on the gradual transition to mitigation in affected cities over the next few weeks and a sustained campaign to instil COVID appropriate behaviour among the people.

Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan noted the importance of keeping up aggressive testing to keep the positivity rate below 5 per cent, the countrywide mortality rate below 1 per cent and the deepening and strengthening of COVID appropriate behaviour among the general population. (IANS)

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