The Delhi government on Friday issued an advisory to hospitals and health centres, asking them to step up preparedness for Covid-19. The advisory from the health department comes amid a small but noticeable rise in Covid cases being reported in several Indian states.

In the advisory, hospitals have been directed to ensure the availability of beds, oxygen, vaccines, and essential medicines, along with proper functioning of equipment such as ventilators, oxygen concentrators, Bi-PAP machines, and PSA plants.

“The hospitals must ensure preparedness in terms of availability of beds, oxygen, antibiotics, other drugs and vaccine. All equipment such as ventilators, Bi-PAP, oxygen concentrators and PSA must be in functional condition,” the health department’s advisory stated.

The advisory also directed that all positive samples are to be sent to Lok Nayak Hospital for genome sequencing to help track any emerging variants. Health facilities have also been asked to provide daily updates through the Delhi State Health Data Management Portal.

Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh, speaking to the media, said as of Thursday (May 22), around 23 active Covid cases had been reported in the national capital. “The Delhi government is currently verifying whether these patients of Delhi or have come from outside the city,” he said.

Singh added that the BJP-led Delhi government has already coordinated with medical superintendents, doctors, and hospital staff to ensure readiness. “The Delhi government is fully prepared to deal with any situation, and there is no need for the public to panic,” he stated.

The advisory comes as India sees a mild rise in Covid-19 cases, with 257 active cases reported nationwide as of 19 May, according to the Union Health Ministry. Kerala leads the count, followed by Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and several other states including Delhi.