<p>Amid a recent surge of Covid-19 cases in the Mumbai metropolitan region (MMR) and other urban Centres, the Centre has asked the Maharashtra health administration to stick to the basics of surveillance, contact tracing and testing.</p>.<p>“Don't let the guard down: stay to the basics of surveillance, contact tracing and testing. Micro plan and ensure strict compliance of protocols. Strengthen teams to ensure meticulous home quarantine, do focussed testing of 100% population in hotspot areas repeated at five days, and isolate positives to check spread,” according to the report of the Central team that visited the state on 1-2 March.</p>.<p>The Centre has asked for a massive Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaign.</p>.<p>“Massive IEC Campaign and collective behavioural change and influencing for Covid-appropriate behaviour is needed,” the report states.</p>.<p>“Those who are opinion makers - some political leaders, some doctors - they may themselves not be following these. Renewed effort at motivation, communication, engagement with opinion makers and strict enforcement is a must. Media orientation/engagement will be useful,” it said, adding that the ‘Me Jababdar’ campaign needs to be strengthened.</p>.<p>The Centre has asked District Collectors, Municipal Commissioners and Police Commissioners to “lead from the front proactively” to enhance coordination, the report said, pointing out that: “What needs to be done is fairly known.... ‘getting it done’ is what is required now.”</p>
<p>Amid a recent surge of Covid-19 cases in the Mumbai metropolitan region (MMR) and other urban Centres, the Centre has asked the Maharashtra health administration to stick to the basics of surveillance, contact tracing and testing.</p>.<p>“Don't let the guard down: stay to the basics of surveillance, contact tracing and testing. Micro plan and ensure strict compliance of protocols. Strengthen teams to ensure meticulous home quarantine, do focussed testing of 100% population in hotspot areas repeated at five days, and isolate positives to check spread,” according to the report of the Central team that visited the state on 1-2 March.</p>.<p>The Centre has asked for a massive Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaign.</p>.<p>“Massive IEC Campaign and collective behavioural change and influencing for Covid-appropriate behaviour is needed,” the report states.</p>.<p>“Those who are opinion makers - some political leaders, some doctors - they may themselves not be following these. Renewed effort at motivation, communication, engagement with opinion makers and strict enforcement is a must. Media orientation/engagement will be useful,” it said, adding that the ‘Me Jababdar’ campaign needs to be strengthened.</p>.<p>The Centre has asked District Collectors, Municipal Commissioners and Police Commissioners to “lead from the front proactively” to enhance coordination, the report said, pointing out that: “What needs to be done is fairly known.... ‘getting it done’ is what is required now.”</p>
