Amid the rise in COVID-19 cases in Haryana, the State Health Department issued a 10-point advisory reiterating the need to remain vigilant, and ensure effective preparedness.

Six fresh cases were reported on Wednesday, taking the total number of patients in the State to 24 this month so far. A total of 78 samples were taken on Wednesday. The number of active cases is 14, and no death has been reported so far.

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, after a meeting with the senior Health officials in Chandigarh, said there was no need to panic and the State was prepared to deal with any situation.

The advisory, issued by Director General (Health) Manish Bansal, to the Civil Surgeons, directs them to set up Flu corners and ensure health preparedness in terms of availability of beds, isolation beds, oxygen, antibiotics and other drugs. It emphasises the need to sensitise and re-orient health staff by providing refresher training on COVID-19 signs, symptoms, management and guidelines. It also directs the district health officials to ensure availability of N-95 mask and Reagent kits.

The DG directs the Civil Surgeons to monitor the patients in home isolation, especially the high-risk cases involving the elderly, pregnant women, children and those with comorbidities. It also stresses the need to create awareness regarding appropriate COVID-19 behaviour like adherence to respiratory and hand hygiene.

“District Surveillance Unit shall closely follow the trend of influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) in the area, monitor the proportion of SARI cases among all ILI and SARI cases, and refer sufficient number of samples for testing as per revised surveillance strategy,” reads the advisory. It also seeks timely updating of the data and holding of meetings with the Indian Medical Association members for preparedness.

Gurugram has reported the highest number of 11 cases in the State, followed by Faridabad (9), Karnal (3) and Yamunanagar (1).