New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened high level review meeting on Wednesday as Covid – 19 and influenza cases are seeing a surge in India. He directed hospitals to conduct regular mock drills to ensure they are prepared for all emergencies.

Modi emphasized on following appropriate behaviour, including wearing of masks in hospital premises by both patients and health workers. He also advised senior citizens and those with comorbidities to wear masks when in a crowded area. Modi’s directions came at a high-level meeting to assess the Covid -19 and Influenza-related preparedness of health infrastructure and logistics, the status of the vaccination campaign, the emergence of new Covid -19 variants and Influenza types and their public health implications.

The Union Health Ministry in a statement said that PM highlighted that Covid -19 and there is a need to monitor the status across the country on a regular basis. India has been witnessing a slight rise in new Covid – 19 cases with average daily cases reported as 888 and weekly positivity reported as 0.98% in the week ending March 22^nd. However, 1.08 lakh daily average cases have been reported globally during the same week.

Since few months, India is reporting a high number of Influenza-like illnesses, especially H1N1 (Swine flu) and H3N2 (Influenza A virus subtype), and Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) cases.  Two deaths were reported in the country due to influenza caused by the H3N2 virus. PM Modi directed officials for the effective monitoring of these cases and oversee that testing for Influenza, Covid -19 and Adenovirus are being followed up with States.

Modi was informed about the monitoring and availability and prices of 20 main Covid -19 drugs, 12 other drugs, 8 buffer drugs and 1 influenza drug, the statement said. Principal Secretary to PM PK Mishra, Member (Health) NITI Aayog Dr V K Paul, Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan, Advisor PMO Amit Khare, and other senior officials attended the meeting.