Amid China COVID Surge, Centre Holds Mock Drills in Hospitals – What We Know

Mock drills were held in hospitals to check whether they are equipped to deal with a rise in COVID-19 cases.

The Central government held mock drills in hospitals in several states and union territories on Tuesday, 27 December, to check whether the health facilities are equipped to deal with a rise in COVID-19 cases.

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Following the surge in COVID-19 cases in China, the Central government held mock drills in hospitals in several states and union territories on Tuesday, 27 December, to check whether the health facilities are equipped to deal with a rise in COVID-19 cases.

Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya supervised the mock drill held at Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital. The aim of the drills was to check how many hospitals across districts have human resources, ICU beds, ventilator-supported beds, etc in case there's a surge in COVID-19 cases.

What other measures are states taking? Read on to know more.

New Year Mask Mandate: Karnataka’s Health Minister K Sudhakar has announced a mask mandate to celebrate the new year in pubs, restaurants, and bars. Besides, movie theatres and educational institutions will also have a mask mandate. 

Delhi: Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia held a high-level review meeting on Monday, 26 December, to check Delhi’s readiness level in case COVID-19 cases rise. 

Apart from this, the Delhi government has also a Rs 104 crore budget for general medicines to fight COVID-19.

West Bengal: A six-point plan in the state aims to work towards building genomic surveillance, oxygen capacity, and testing.

On Monday, Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya also held a COVID-19 review meeting with the Indian Medical Association.

What's happening in China? China has been witnessing a surge in COVID-19 cases ever since it eased the strict policies that it was using to monitor the pandemic.

While official data from the country doesn't confirm this rise in cases, the World Health Organization and other countries globally are issuing warnings for people to take preventive measures.