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What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
The exercise aims to check readiness of hospital against any possible surge in Covid-19 infections.
Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya led the country in conducting Covid preparedness mock drill as he took stock of the readiness of health infrastructure at Delhi’s Safdarjung hospital on Tuesday.
Keeping in view the new Covid threat posed by an Omicron variant, the Union health minister on Monday directed all state and UT governments to conduct Covid response mock drills in public hospitals.
Though only four cases of the B4.7 variant of Omicron have been detected in the country, reports of a spike in this variant of Covid in China, the US, the UK and Brazil have set the alarm bell ringing in India as well.
On Tuesday morning, Mandviya himself checked the readiness of hospital staff, equipment and other health infrastructure at Safdarjung hospital in South Delhi. He met hospital staff and inspected the Covid testing centre.
Speaking to reporters, the health minister said, “To make sure that there is no Covid surge in the country again, PM Modi has asked us to be careful. The government is also preparing for a possible increase in Covid-19 cases. Today, mock drills are being conducted in hospitals to ensure people get proper treatment.”
Besides, the Delhi government also conducted a mock drill at its Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital in the presence of deputy chief minister and health minister Manish Sisodia.
In Uttar Pradesh, deputy chief minister Brijesh Pathak also reviewed preparations at Balrampur hospital in Lucknow. In a benevolent gesture, Pathak donated his winter jacket to a patient at the hospital.
Amidst the threat of the spread of BF.7, many states have already started preparing to tackle any possible surge in Covid infections by issuing new guidelines and putting in place some curbs. Karnataka made face masks mandatory in public places like cinema halls and markets. The BJP-ruled state has also made complete vaccination or two vaccine doses mandatory.
In an appeal last week, Mandaviya said Covid-19 was not over yet and asked people to be alert.
He had also chaired a review meeting with health officials on the Covid-19 situation amid a spurt in global cases and said the government is prepared to manage any situation.
