The measures suggested include regular monitoring of the mutant strains through testing followed by Genome Sequencing

With several states, particularly Kerala and Maharashtra, recording a rise in the active COVID 19 caseload over the past few weeks, the centre has advised them to take five steps to check this trend.

These include boosting the overall testing numbers by focusing on increasing the proportion of RT-PCR tests.

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has also said that all negative Rapid Antigen Test results were to be mandatorily followed by RT-PCR test and no such negative persons were to be missed.

These states have been asked to refocus on strict and comprehensive surveillance as well as stringent containment in selected districts.

Another measure suggested is regular monitoring of the mutant strains through testing followed by Genome Sequencing, as well as monitoring of the emerging cluster of cases.

Focusing on clinical management in districts reporting higher deaths was also essential, the ministry said, listing the five measures that the state's need to implement.

According to the latest data, the country's total Active Caseload is at 1,45,634 today. This figure is 1.32 percent of India’s total Positive Cases.

Two states, Kerala and Maharashtra, account for more than 74% of the Active Cases. There has been a spike in the daily cases in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh also. Punjab and J&K too are witnessing a surge in daily new cases, the ministry said.

Kerala is a matter of particular concern, with the average weekly cases fluctuating between a high of 42,000 to a low of 34,800 over the last four weeks.

During the same period, the weekly positivity in Kerala has ranged from 13.9% to 8.9%. In Alappuzha district, the weekly Positivity Rate has increased to 10.7% and weekly cases have increased to 2,833.

According to the ministry, Maharashtra, in the last four weeks, has also shown a rising trend in the weekly cases with an increase from 18,200 to 21,300; the weekly positivity has also increased from 4.7% to 8%.

The areas of concern in the state include the Mumbai suburban areas where the weekly cases have risen by 19%. In Nagpur, Amravati, Nashik, Akola and Yavatmal the weekly cases have increased by 33%, 47%, 23%, 55% and 48%, respectively, the health ministry data shows.

Over the last four weeks, Punjab has seen an increase in the weekly COVID19 positivity rate from 1.4% to 1.6%. The weekly cases in the last four weeks have seen a rise from 1300 to 1682.

In SBS Nagar district, the weekly positivity rate has touched 4.9% from the earlier 3.5% and the weekly cases have more than doubled from 165 to 364.

Meanwhile, India’s cumulative COVID19 vaccination Coverage has crossed 1.1 crore (11 million).

Till 8:00 am on Sunday, a total of 1,10,85,173 vaccine doses have been administered.