India’s new strategy for tackling the surge of COVID-19 cases

Mar 17, 2021

By: Sanchita Dash

Credit: BCCL

India has a new plan to deal with the rising number of coronavirus cases

The country now has 11.4 million cases, with 234,000 active cases.

Credit: BCCL

Several Indian cities have already gone under lockdown

Maharashtra remains the worst affected state, with 60% of all active cases.

Credit: BCCL

Prime Minister Narendra Modi too met with chief ministers of states today

He said that India’s success so far with dealing with COVID-19 should not be turned into negligence.

Credit: BCCL

The government has now taken up a strategy of – test, track, treat and vaccinate

The health ministry spoke about the same during a media briefing about the COVID-19 pandemic.

Credit: BCCL

It has also set up new guidelines for the states

Here are the new rules

Credit: BCCL

Increase testing

The ministry said that all states should increase the proportion of RT PCR tests to a minimum of 70%.

Credit: BCCL

Trace all close contacts of active cases

The ministry spokesperson said that all close contacts, upto 30 people, should be tracked, tested and isolated within 72 hours.

Credit: BCCL

Containment zones

With the rising number of cases, the centre is asking states to focus on surveillance and take up the containment zone approach.

Credit: BCCL

Priority vaccination

Places where COVID-19 cases are rising, the groups approved by the Centre (above age 60 for now) should be vaccinated on priority.

Credit: BCCL

From Azim Premji to Mukesh Ambani – India's richest men and where they donate