In view of the emerging Covid-19 situation in China, USA & Japan, Govt. of India has issued guidelines to enhance the 5 fold strategy of Test, Track, Treat, and Vaccination and ensure adherence to Covid Appropriate behavior. The emerging Covid scenario in the State was also reviewed by Hon’ble Chief Minister and Hon’ble Health Minister.
With regard to the above, the following Covid-19 protocol is being issued for compliance henceforth-
Testing & Vaccination –
Covid testing is to be enhanced and in view of this, it is mandated that hospitals shall test all the ILI/SARI cases detected.
Testing to all symptomatics should be ensured, especially the symptomatic contacts of positive cases.
Districts and BBMP shall make available adequate testing teams so that symptomatic testing is not missed out.
• The exercise of 2% random testing of International arrivals at BIAL, Bengaluru and Mangaluru Airport shall continue and any further guidelines issued in this regard by GOI shall be followed.
• All positive samples (ct value < 25) would be compulsorily sent for Whole Genome Sequencing.
.The booster dose vaccination shall be accelerated, in line with supplies, so that the coverage shall be improved from existing 20% to 50% during Dec 2022-Jan 2023, by organizing vaccination camps at all levels.
Public & Private Hospitals Preparedness –
⚫ District Hospitals and Govt Medical College Hospitals shall make preparations to reserve a minimal number of isolation beds exclusively for Covid patients.
⚫ The Health Care Facilities, both Public & Private shall remain prepared to manage any surge in Covid-19 cases.
• The clinical preparedness of hospitals at District & Taluk level shall be assessed and readied in terms of Oxygen supplies, drugs, beds and manpower.
•All district and taluka hospitals have to undertake the dry run of their oxygen infrastructure regularly preferably once in 15 days to ensure oxygen sufficiency preparedness.
• There shall be compulsory face masking by all Doctors and staff at health care facilities, including the patients, caretakers and visitors.
• All Health care staff need to be advised to receive the precautionary dose of vaccination immediately.
The State/ District Health Authorities and BBMP Health Authorities need to ensure that the above mentioned guidelines are properly communicated and the same shall be monitored for compliance, in order to sustain the gains achieved so far in Covid-19 prevention and control.