New Delhi: With the number of Covid-positive patients rising in the country, random RT-PCR (Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction) screening for about 2% of international passengers in each incoming flight and genomic sequencing of all positive specimens have been advised to States by the Health Ministry.

Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan, in a letter, have asked State governments to adhere to the ‘Operational Guidelines for Revised Surveillance Strategy in context of COVID-19’ issued by the Centre on June 9.

The revised strategy, as per the Health Ministry, is focused on early detection and timely management of suspected and confirmed cases, and the containment of outbreaks of new coronavirus variants. Those who become positive are also advised to stay in isolation as per the norms.

As per the revised guidelines, all healthcare facilities are to report Influenza Like (ILI) cases and monitor Severe Acute Respiratory cases in all district hospitals and selected tertiary hospitals. "5% of ILI cases shall be tested through RT-PCR" the Health Ministry added. The responsibility to analyse the data falls on the district surveillance officer.