With the weekly count of fresh COVID cases beginning to rise again in some states, the Centre has issued an alert to five state governments asking them to step up measures to control the spread of the disease.

Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan has sent a letter to the state governments of Kerala, Maharashtra, Delhi, Haryana and Mizoram on the issue.

"Given that the states/UTs have been undertaking various measures to reopen economic and social activities, there is a need for continuous follow up of a risk assessment-based approach for management of COVID 19," Mr Bhushan wrote.

Kerala reported 2,321 new cases in the last week, accounting to 31.8 per cent of lndia's new cases. The weekly positivity rate in the state has also gone up to 15.53 per cent from 13.45 per cent.

The states have been advised to continue with the five-fold strategy which includes testing, tracking, treatment, vaccination and adherence to Covid appropriate behaviour.

Delhi has reported an increase in weekly new cases from 724 new cases in the week ending (April 1) to 826 new cases in the last week (ending April 8), accounting to 11.33 per cent of India's new cases. It has also seen an increase in positivity in the last week from 0.51 per cent to 1.25 per cent.

Maharashtra has reported 794 new cases in the last week (ending April 8), accounting for 10.9 per cent of India's new cases. The state has also seen an increase in positivity in the last week from 0.39 per cent to 0.43 per cent.

Mizoram has reported 814 new cases in the last week (ending April 8), accounting to 11.16 per cent of India's new cases and also seen an increase in positivity in the last week from 14.38 per cent to 16.48 per cent, the letter to the state highlighted.

Haryana has recorded an increase in weekly new cases from 367 new cases in the week ending (April 1) to 416 new cases in the last week (ending April 8), accounting to 5.70 per cent of India's new cases. The state has also seen an increase in positivity in the last week from 0.51 per cent to 1.06 per cent.

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