AMN / NEW DELHI
As many as 149 fresh cases of COVID- 19 have been reported in the past 24 hours in the country. With this, the total number of cases has now gone up to 873 including 19 deaths.
Briefing media here, Joint Secretary Lav Aggarwal said that the Centre is engaged with the States governments to implement rigorous contact tracing, community surveillance and the containment strategy.
He said, the Centre and States are making efforts to ensure that lockdown and social distancing are followed properly. He added that the Centre is working with the States on health infrastructure preparedness. He also said, the major focus is to set up dedicated COVID-19 hospitals and blocks.
Mr Aggarwal said, during the lockdown period, availability of essential services and essential items is being ensured. He said the government has decided to allow CGHS patients who are chronic to avail medicines for three months.
Joint Secretary in the Home Ministry, Punya Salila Srivastava said that Home Ministry is regularly monitoring the movements of essential goods and enforcement of lockdown with the States. She said, the discussion is also being held continuously with the States on the issues related to migrant workers. She said, the Home Ministry has also urged the States and Union Territories to use the State Disaster Respond Fund for relief measures.