Persons with fever with/without cough, headache, sore throat etc. prime suspect of Covid: MoHFW

Jan. 1: Any individual presenting with fever with/without cough, headache, sore throat, breathlessness, body ache, the recent loss of taste or smell, fatigue, and diarrhea should be considered as a suspect case of COVID-19 unless proven otherwise. All such persons should be tested. This was stated by Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan and ICMR DG Dr. Balram Bhargava in a letter written to chief secretaries of all states and Union Territories on 31 December.

In the letter, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan wrote to chief secretaries of all states/UTs to set up round the clock functional RAT booths at different locations, engage medical and paramedical staff, and encourage the use of home test kits. While awaiting the test results, people should be advised to immediately isolate themselves and follow the home isolation guidelines of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.