<span style="color: #222222;">Health Secretary Preeti Sudan today reviewed preparedness with the concerned states and union territories on COVID-19 through video conference. </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"><br />'' The Health Secretary stated that various precautionary measures have been undertaken in close coordination with the concerned ministries at the central and the state level. She, however, added that with the evolving global scenario, especially in countries such as Iran, Italy and South Korea, there is a need for states to maintain high vigil and be with respect to the protocols for community surveillance, and screening at the airports and check-posts. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">She underscored the importance of sturdy and effective community surveillance measures. She also advised the states and union territories to ensure that necessary protocols for collection and testing of blood samples are followed. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">States have been again advised to provide the requisite manpower to strengthen the Airport Public Health Officers, APHOs at the airports and at the check-posts. They were also urged to ensure that all necessary Personal Protective equipment like masks are in adequate supply, and adequate isolation wards are kept in readiness. A specific review of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh was taken with respect to returnees from Iran.</span><br />''  <br />