NEW DELHI: Cabinet secretary Rajiv Gauba chaired a high-level meeting today (September 18) with states and Union Territories on public health response to Covid-19 and progress of vaccination.

Commenting on the development on vaccine administration, Cabinet Secretary said: "Congratulating states/UTs for the achievement of over 2.5 crore vaccine doses administered yesterday, he complimented health workers, CMOs, DMs & State Health Secretaries for efforts. He hoped that with increased availability of doses, the pace of vaccination will be maintained."

He however took the occasion to remind the states that there is no room for complacency. He stressed on the need to strictly enforce Covid appropriate behavior. He detailed the essential precautions for the upcoming festive season and the strategy to avert any new upsurge. He also highlighted the emerging challenge of serotype-II Dengue in 11 states which is associated with more cases and more complications than other forms of the disease.

Drawing examples from other countries that saw multiple peaks of COVID-19, he expressed concern over certain pockets in the country reporting high test positivity. He advised the State Health administrators to undertake granular analysis of their COVID-19 trajectory, ramp up their Health Infrastructure, undertake stocking of essential medicine and augment Human Resources at the earliest, to meet any potential surge in cases.

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