New Delhi: Amid the sudden & sharp spike in influenza cases & also the Covid-19 infections, the Centre has planed nationwide mock drills in hospitals across the country to check their preparedness & readiness to take on the health hazard.

A notification by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare said that mock drills will take place in all hospitals of the country on April 10 & 11 and it will see participation of all public & private health facilities. It will check the availability of hospital beds, ICU beds, medical oxygen, pool of doctors & all medical accessories required to press into action, needed during emergency situations.

The mock drill assumes significance as the pangs of pandemic are very much alive today. Covid-19 pandemic exposed the many lacunas & loopholes of our medical infrastructure and showed how poorly equipped were hospitals in staving off the pandemic.

Besides influenza, the country recorded more than 1,400 fresh Covid cases, highest in last 5-6 months. A couple of states also recorded Covid deaths, thereby sending alarm bells ringing on the grave health risks that the country was staring at.

Days ago, the Health Ministry issued Covid-19 guidelines to protect onself & also the community from spread of fresh Covid strain.

The govt also noted down list of precautionary steps to limit the transmission of disease and to raise awareness about the importance of hygiene.

Some of precautionary steps are:

i) Avoiding overcrowded places & poorly ventilated areas, especially for senior citizens & people with co-morbidity.

ii) Wearing of masks/face cover at all sparsely or highly crowded areas

iii) Doctors/paramedics & healthcare workers should always wear masks. Patients & their attendants must also abide by this protocol

iv) Cover your mouth & nose while sneezing or coughing

v) Frequently wash your hands, maintain hygiene

vi) Don’t spit in public places

vii) Avoiding contact with those people, suffering from respiratory ailment