NEW DELHI: In view of the latest surge in Covid-19 circumstances in Kerala, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat and Karnataka, Union well being minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday chaired a high-level assembly with high officers and chief well being secretaries. “We must be alert, however there is no such thing as a must panic,” he stated.The minister stated, “There needs to be no laxity in our preparedness.There is no such thing as a room for politics relating to public well being.”Assuring Centre’s help to states affected by the latest upsurge in circumstances, he stated, “The Union well being ministry is offered for each help.” He additionally advised that the healthcare officers within the affected states conduct mock drills in hospitals each three months to make sure preparedness.”We must be on alert however there is no such thing as a must panic. It is very important maintain mock drills to make sure the preparedness of hospitals, elevated surveillance and efficient communication with folks.”The well being minister additionally urged states to verify preventive measures are taken amid the prevailing chilly, and forward of the year-end festivities.The assembly comes on a day Kerala reported three Covid deaths and 292 contemporary circumstances during the last 24 hours, based on knowledge launched by the Union well being ministry. The Kerala state authorities, nonetheless, didn’t formally verify the figures.Veena George, the well being minister of Kerala, which additionally reported the very best variety of circumstances at a positivity price of 21 per cent, stated, “We now have elevated surveillance and in addition ramped up testing. We’re additionally repeatedly reviewing hospital preparedness and shares of PPE kits and different tools. Senior residents, pregnant ladies, and people with comorbidities are being suggested to put on masks.”Dr Rajiv Bahl, director, ICMR; Dr VK Paul, member, Niti Aayog; and Dr Saumya Swaminathan, ex DG, ICMR have been additionally within the assembly.George had on Sunday stated some folks have been making an attempt to create pointless concern and unfold false information on Covid deaths within the state. “There have been deaths from different critical illnesses. Nobody died from or due to Covid-19. Details shouldn’t be misrepresented and neither ought to the unfold of Covid be allowed to disrupt folks’s lives,” George stated.Earlier, after the detection and affirmation of a case of the brand new JN.1 subvariant of Covid-19 in Kerala on Sunday, George assured the people who there was no want to fret. The state Well being minister additionally urged folks to remain vigilant and take mandatory precautions.The overall variety of Covid circumstances reported nationwide until 8am on Wednesday was 341, of which Kerala alone accounted for 292, Delhi and Gujarat reported 3 every, Karnataka logged 9 circumstances, Telangana and Puducherry 4 every, Tamil Nadu 13 and Maharashtra 11, based on Union authorities knowledge.The overall variety of deaths reported in Kerala for the reason that outbreak of the pandemic has been pegged at 72,056.The overall variety of energetic Covid circumstances within the nation is presently at 2,311, with the overall variety of fatalities reported for the reason that arrival of the pandemic in India at 5,33,321, based on the ministry knowledge.