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The Delhi government on Friday issued a detailed advisory to bolster Covid-19 preparedness in hospitals across the city, amid rising infections in various states, including the national capital and neighbouring Haryana.

According to the advisory issued by the Health Department of the Delhi government, all government and private hospitals have been directed to ensure the availability of beds, oxygen, antibiotics, essential drugs, and vaccines. The advisory further mandates that all medical equipment, such as ventilators, BiPAP machines, oxygen concentrators, and PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) units, be in functional condition.

The statement, issued with prior approval of the Competent Authority and signed by the Special Secretary (Health and Family Welfare), stated: “In view of a recent increase in COVID-19 cases, it is reiterated that the following is to be ensured by Medical Directors/ Medical Superintendents/Administrators of all Govt./Pvt. Hospitals…”

Key directives include conducting refresher training for dedicated medical staff, reporting all Influenza-like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases from OPD/IPD departments daily on the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) portal. Confirmed influenza and COVID-19 cases must be reported under the L form with daily uploading of data on the Delhi State Health Data Management Portal.

Adequate Covid testing, with 5% of ILI cases and 100% of SARI cases to be tested in line with ICMR guidelines, sending all positive Covid samples for whole genome sequencing to Lok Nayak Hospital for early detection of emerging variants and reporting the sample count to the State Surveillance Unit, the statement read. The government also asked authorities to ensure adherence to respiratory etiquette, including mask usage within hospital premises.

Delhi has so far reported a total of five Covid-19 cases, with three new infections added recently, as per the Union Health Ministry’s data.