Highlights of the Press Briefing on the actions taken, preparedness and updates on COVID-19 , via PIB :

• Based on what has been stated by PM yesterday, Ministry of Health has issued detailed directions to states regarding Lockdown2; we have said that we need to consolidate the gains gained in fighting COVID19.
• The districts of the country will be classified into 3 categories – hot spot districts, non-hot spot districts but where cases are being reported and green zone districts.
• Hot spot districts will be those where either large no. of cases are being reported or where rate of growth of #COVID2019 cases is high.
• Cabinet Secretary held a video conference today with all Chief Secretaries, DGPs, Health Secretaries, Collectors, SPs, Municipal Commissioners and CMOs where hot spots was discussed and orientation on field level implementation of containment strategy was given.
• Large outbreak and cluster outbreak containment strategy, delineation of buffer & containment zone, parameter mapping, defining of entry and exit points were discussed in detail.
• Movement will not be allowed in containment zones except for those related with essential services. Special teams will search for new cases and samples will be collected and tested as per sampling criteria.
• Health facilities in buffer zone will be oriented and people facing SARS and influenza-like symptoms will be tested there; special teams working in containment zone will do contact tracing and house-to-house survey.
• Besides health staff, services of local revenue and corporation staff and volunteers will also be utilized in the special teams which will do contact tracing, survey and surveillance.
• Cases of fever, cough and breathlessness will be identified in the house-to-house survey and requisite action will be taken as per protocol.
• Cases of fever, cough and breathlessness will be identified in the house-to-house survey and requisite action will be taken as per protocol