Pune: Local authorities have been directed to maintain covid testing momentum in regions with a weekly positive zero or below the average country of 1.35% to maintain the lowest infection.
Last week, Gondia and Nandurji registered a positive rate, while 22 other districts throughout the country recorded below 100 cases.
“The number of active cases has been in the range of 800-1,000 for the past two weeks.
Many districts need to increase testing too,” said an official of the State Health Department.
During the week, the weekly testing rate has divided two to around 5.5 lakh as opposed to a normal 10-11 lakh test.
Members of the State Task Force said even when the number dropped, it was necessary for these districts to prevent new cases.
“While the case fell, there should be no weakness in testing.
There is a need to increase testing in all these districts,” said the Task Member Dr.
Rahul Pandit.
Dharavi, one of the greatest slums in Asia, has seen 37 days zero infection since the second wave.
However, that does not mean that the bag must be ignored.
“Continuous testing is the only way to avoid a sudden increase in the case,” Mumbai Health Official said.
In the cabinet record last week, nearly 22 districts registered less than 100 active cases, with the lowest number recorded from Nandurbar and Washim.
However, it was found that weekly testing in these districts was also gloomy.
“On Sunday Diwali, weekly testing is less than 500 for Nandurbar and it’s only 528 for Washim.
Nearly seven districts register weekly testing under 1,000,” other health officials said.
Public health experts and former State Health Director Dr.
PP Doge told TII that the state was in a very important phase because there was almost no increase in cases even though there were limitations in the period of Diwali.
“Two periods of incubation (pre-and post-diwali) have not shown large variations and if there is no increase in the coming weeks, we can safely state that Maharashtra has achieved a low endemic phase,” he said.
Doke, however, warned against letting guards go down and say people must continue to follow the Covid protocol and increase testing and vaccination.