The Centre has ordered the States to resume monitoring influenza-like disease and severe acute respiratory infections, citing the reappearance of coronavirus cases in Southeast Asia and parts of Europe, so that no early warning signals are overlooked and COVID-19 is controlled. The government's COVID-management pillars have been testing for influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) cases. However, the testing was recently halted because India's COVID-19 instances have been steadily declining. Patients hospitalized with ILI or SARI will be tested for COVID-19 again as part of the increased surveillance, and positive samples will be forwarded for genome sequencing. In a letter to all states and union territories, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan requested that an adequate quantity of samples be sent to the INSACOG network for the prompt detection of new COIVD variants. He also emphasized the importance of continuing to test according to protocol, taking all necessary precautions, and not letting down one's guard when resuming economic and social activities.

Key Points

• The Centre has ordered the States to resume monitoring influenza-like disease and severe acute respiratory infections, citing the reappearance of coronavirus cases in Southeast Asia and parts of Europe, so that no early warning signals are overlooked and COVID-19 is controlled. 

• In a letter to all states and union territories, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan requested that an adequate quantity of samples be sent to the INSACOG network for the prompt detection of new COIVD variants.

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