Covid: Rise in Covid positivity rate a concern, says Centre.

NEW DELHI: The Center on Saturday expressed concern over a gradual increase in the Covid-19 positivity rate in some states and said it needed to be addressed promptly.In a letter to states and UTs, Union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan said operational guidelines for integrated surveillance of respiratory pathogens presenting as cases of influenza-like illness or severe acute respiratory infection need to be followed.”While the Covid-19 trajectory has decreased substantially in the last few months, the gradual rise in Covid-19 test positivity rate in some states is a concerning issue that needs to be promptly addressed,” Bhushan wrote.Despite low number of new cases, equally low number of hospitalizations and significant advances made in terms of Covid-19 vaccination coverage, the health secretary said that there is a need to remain vigilant and focus on the five-fold strategy of test, track, treatment, vaccination and adherence to the Covid-appropriate behaviour.