Caution Advised: Himachal Health Department on Alert Amid Rising COVID-19 Cases in Neighboring States

Shimla, May 26:
In response to a fresh uptick in COVID-19 cases reported from some parts of the country, the Himachal Pradesh Health Department has moved into alert mode. While no new COVID-19 cases have been detected in the state so far, the emergence of infections in neighboring regions has prompted precautionary measures.

The National Health Mission (NHM), Himachal Pradesh, has issued advisories to all Chief Medical Officers, principals of medical colleges, and medical superintendents across the state, instructing them to remain vigilant and ensure full preparedness of hospitals.

According to the advisory issued by the NHM Director, health institutions must gear up not only for potential COVID-19 cases but also for a possible surge in other respiratory illnesses like influenza. All facilities have been directed to ensure adequate availability of critical resources such as oxygen, ventilators, hospital beds, essential medicines, and medical equipment. Additionally, healthcare personnel are to be specially trained to handle cases of influenza and Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI), enabling swift and effective emergency response.

Health centers have been asked to enhance surveillance of influenza and respiratory infections in their respective areas, to detect early warning signs and curb the spread of any outbreak in a timely manner. Institutions have also been instructed to report all COVID-19 and influenza cases through the designated portal, using the prescribed formats.

COVID-19 testing labs across the state have been told to remain fully functional, adhere to existing testing protocols, and ensure timely processing and reporting of samples. In the event of a confirmed COVID-19 case, samples will be sent for genome sequencing—either to the authorized lab in Ner Chowk or, if required, to the National Institute of Virology in Pune—to identify any emerging variants.

Moreover, all healthcare facilities have been directed to strictly enforce COVID-appropriate behavior, including mask-wearing, respiratory hygiene, and infection control measures. The advisory also stresses immediate reporting of any positive COVID-19 cases to district and state-level surveillance units.