Haryana has third highest Covid positivity in India, Centre advises caution

Aditi Tandon

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 21

The Centre on Friday asked eight states, including Haryana, not to become lax in pandemic management and noted that Covid was not yet over.

In a letter to UP, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Kerala, Karnataka, Haryana and Delhi, Union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan today said these states were witnessing higher than usual positivity. Bhushan asked the high burden states to step up surveillance in all districts, monitor influenza illness trends, ensure hospital readiness and identify infection hotspots.

Haryana currently has the third highest Covid positivity rate (19.28 %) in India after Delhi (29.65 %) and Kerala (28.25 %). 

Out of the state’s 22 districts, 12 are reporting 10 per cent plus positivity and six are reporting 5 to 10 pc positivity rates. WHO mandate says any positivity above 5% needs to be addressed actively.

In the letter, Bhushan said India had been seeing a consistent Covid rise since March with 10,262 cases reported in the week ending April 20 and positivity rising to 5.5% as against 4.7% the week before.

“Haryana has reported an increase in weekly cases from 445 in the week ending April 13 to 910 in the week ending April 20. The state reported a positivity rate of 19.28 % in the week ending April 19, which is higher than the national average of 5.5 pc. Average cases in Haryana rose from 21 in between March 17-23 to 910 from April 14 to 20.”

The Centre has also advised the above eight states to send more samples for genome testing and maintain a high level of tests apart from ensuring precaution doses to those eligible.

“We must remain cautious against laxity at any level, which may nullify the gains made in pandemic management so far,” Bhushan said.

Districts with the highest Covid positivity rate in Haryana are Yamunanagar (56.50%), Rewari (29.10 %), Gurugram (28.40 %), Faridabad (25.80 %), Sonepat (24.10%)