In light of a recent surge in Covid-19 cases across various parts of the country, the Himachal Pradesh government has issued a fresh alert and ramped up surveillance and preparedness measures to tackle potential outbreaks of Covid-19 and influenza.
The state's National Health Mission (NHM) has released updated guidelines, instructing all district hospitals and medical colleges to enhance readiness. Health facilities have been directed to report all cases of Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) through the IHIP-IDSP portal. Confirmed Covid-19 and influenza cases must also be logged using the L-form.
To monitor viral mutations, all Covid-positive samples must be sent to the Department of Microbiology at SLBS Government Medical College, Nerchowk—an INSACOG-recognised lab—for whole genome sequencing. The National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, will also support variant detection. All confirmed cases are to be reported promptly to district and state surveillance units.
Hospitals have been instructed to strengthen critical infrastructure, ensuring the availability of hospital beds, oxygen systems, ventilators, BiPAP machines, PSA plants, oxygen concentrators, and essential drugs such as antibiotics.
Health experts warn that the elderly and immunocompromised individuals remain particularly vulnerable. The public has been advised to maintain Covid-appropriate behavior, including wearing masks, practicing hand hygiene, and avoiding crowded places.
Officials say the new JN.1 variant, a sub-lineage of Omicron, is highly transmissible due to mutations that allow it to bypass vaccine-induced immunity. While the variant is considered less severe, it can cause symptoms such as dry cough, sore throat, fever, fatigue, nasal congestion, headache, and gastrointestinal issues.
The authorities have urged citizens to stay alert but not panic, and to continue following preventive protocols to mitigate the risk of infection.
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