Stay to basics of surveillance, Centre suggests Maharashtra over Covid-19 situation

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.

“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.

The Centre has asked for a massive Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaign.

“Massive IEC Campaign and collective behavioural change and influencing for Covid-appropriate behaviour is needed,” the report states.

“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.

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.”