Centre writes to 5 states to monitor situation amid rise in Covid cases again

New Delhi: Raising concern over the spike in the number of Covid-19 cases, the Center on Friday wrote to Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala which are "reporting a higher contribution to India's cases".

The Centre has advised these five states in separate letters to undertake the required steps for prompt and effective management of the pandemic.

Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan in the letter stressed that it is essential that the state maintain a strict watch and take pre-emptive action to control any emerging spread of infection.

He added that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare would continue to provide the support required in this collective effort.

Kerala accounts for 31.14 per cent of India's new cases and has reported an increase in weekly cases from 4,139 cases last week to 6,556 new cases in the week ending on June 3.

11 districts in Kerala have recorded an increase in cases and they include Ernakulam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam, Kozhikode, Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Alappuzha, Kollam, Kannur, Malappuram and Wayanad.

Of these, Ernakulam recorded the highest number of cases from May 27 to June 3 at 2,063 cases.

Maharashtra recorded 4,883 new covid cases this week, which is a drastic increase from 2,471 cases last week. The state accounts for 23.19 per cent of India's cases.

The centre found six districts of concern in Maharashtra which include Mumbai Suburban, Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Raigad and Palghar. Of these, Mumbai Suburban recorded the most cases this week at 2,330 covid cases.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu reported 335 cases last week and 659 new cases this week and accounts for 3.13 per cent of the country's cases.

Chennai, which recorded 308 cases, and Chengalpattu, which recorded 253, are two districts that have recorded an increase in cases.

Telangana has also recorded an increase in weekly cases from 287 last week to 375 new cases this week. The state accounts for 1.78 per cent of India's new cases.

Karnataka on the other hand accounts for 6.87 per cent of the country's new covid cases this week. The state reported an increase in cases from 1,003 cases last week to 1,446 cases this week.

On analysing the district-wide COVID-19 situation in Karnataka, the centre found that Bengaluru Urban has recorded an increase in weekly cases and positivity.

The Union Minister wrote that the districts mentioned required "focused intervention from the state administration".

Furthermore, the centre asked the states to continue the implementation and monitoring of necessary measures for effective COVID-19 management.

Mr Bhushan emphasised the importance of the five-fold strategy i.e., Test-Track-Treat-Vaccination as well as ensuring covid appropriate behaviour and adequate testing as per guidelines.