<p>Centre has asked state governments to expedite upgradation of hospital infrastructure, ensure availability of medical equipment, trained manpower to manage COVID-19 cases as the SARS CoV-2 infection continued to spread across the country.</p>.<p>The Centre’s directives came at a meeting chaired by Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba with top state officials even as India’s COVID-19 count neared the three-lakh mark on Friday.</p>.<p>Gauba asked the state governments to pay special attention to the emerging epicentres of the disease and undertake stringent containment measures to check the spread of virus.</p>.<p>The total confirmed cases of COVID-19 increased by 10,965 to touch 2,97,535 on Friday which included 8,498 fatalities, the health ministry said.</p>.<p><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/coronavirus-news-live-updates-indias-tally-of-positive-cases-crosses-3-lakh-mark-death-toll-at-8554-846670.html" target="_blank"><strong>Follow live updates on coronavirus here</strong></a></p>.<p>India has a total of 1,41,842 patients under medical supervision, while 1,47,194 persons have been discharged from hospitals or COVID care facilities.</p>.<p>According to a separate DH COVID-19 Tracker, India had 2,98,148 cases as of 7:00 p.m. on Friday.</p>.<p>The Cabinet Secretary also advised state officers to carry out active house-to-house surveillance through special teams in containment zones for early identification of cases.</p>.<p>“They were requested to expedite up-gradation of hospital infrastructure so as to manage the cases as per projections besides ensuring sufficient logistics such as pulse oximeters, and trained human resources including doctors, staff nurses, non-clinical staff,” a senior official said.</p>.<p>Gauba also underscored the importance of preventive measures for vulnerable population and timely referrals base on symptoms and improving clinical practices.</p>.<p>On the testing front, India had tested 53.63 lakh samples for COVID-19 through its network of 877 laboratories – 637 state-run and 240 private institutions. On Thursday, 1.50 lakh samples were tested through this network of laboratories.</p>.<p>Maharashtra inched towards the grim milestone of one lakh-mark with 97,648 cases on Friday. Tamil Nadu registered a record hike in its daily coronavirus tally with 1,875 new cases reported as on Friday morning. At 38,716, Tamil Nadu recorded the highest number COVID-19 patients after Maharashtra.</p>
<p>Centre has asked state governments to expedite upgradation of hospital infrastructure, ensure availability of medical equipment, trained manpower to manage COVID-19 cases as the SARS CoV-2 infection continued to spread across the country.</p>.<p>The Centre’s directives came at a meeting chaired by Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba with top state officials even as India’s COVID-19 count neared the three-lakh mark on Friday.</p>.<p>Gauba asked the state governments to pay special attention to the emerging epicentres of the disease and undertake stringent containment measures to check the spread of virus.</p>.<p>The total confirmed cases of COVID-19 increased by 10,965 to touch 2,97,535 on Friday which included 8,498 fatalities, the health ministry said.</p>.<p><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/coronavirus-news-live-updates-indias-tally-of-positive-cases-crosses-3-lakh-mark-death-toll-at-8554-846670.html" target="_blank"><strong>Follow live updates on coronavirus here</strong></a></p>.<p>India has a total of 1,41,842 patients under medical supervision, while 1,47,194 persons have been discharged from hospitals or COVID care facilities.</p>.<p>According to a separate DH COVID-19 Tracker, India had 2,98,148 cases as of 7:00 p.m. on Friday.</p>.<p>The Cabinet Secretary also advised state officers to carry out active house-to-house surveillance through special teams in containment zones for early identification of cases.</p>.<p>“They were requested to expedite up-gradation of hospital infrastructure so as to manage the cases as per projections besides ensuring sufficient logistics such as pulse oximeters, and trained human resources including doctors, staff nurses, non-clinical staff,” a senior official said.</p>.<p>Gauba also underscored the importance of preventive measures for vulnerable population and timely referrals base on symptoms and improving clinical practices.</p>.<p>On the testing front, India had tested 53.63 lakh samples for COVID-19 through its network of 877 laboratories – 637 state-run and 240 private institutions. On Thursday, 1.50 lakh samples were tested through this network of laboratories.</p>.<p>Maharashtra inched towards the grim milestone of one lakh-mark with 97,648 cases on Friday. Tamil Nadu registered a record hike in its daily coronavirus tally with 1,875 new cases reported as on Friday morning. At 38,716, Tamil Nadu recorded the highest number COVID-19 patients after Maharashtra.</p>
