In the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Secretary, B V R Subrahmanyam today reviewed public health response to COVID-19 and asked the administration to remain and tighten the implementation of existing control measures and SOPs to reverse the upward trend. AIR Jammu Correspondent reports that considering the recent surge in the COVID infections, the Chief Secretary impressed upon the officers to strictly implement strategy of testing, vaccination, strict control in containment zones and promotion of COVID appropriate behaviour among masses to prevent a further surge in the cases. He asked district administrations to ramp up testing in identified target clusters and prioritize vaccination in eligible population groups to address the worsening scenario. <br />''<br />''It was given out that 20-30 per cent of positive cases being reported are travellers who are being tested at the entry point itself and prevented from mingling with the general population. In the initial phases of COVID-19 vaccination, 75 per cent of health workers, 78 per cent of front line workers, and 38 per cent of citizens above 45 years of age totalling 15,25,604 people have been vaccinated in J&K with no reported case of any adversity. The next phase of vaccination for 18-45 age group will cover approximately 65 lakh people. The Chief Secretary also urged people to participate in vaccination drives and get vaccinated on priority to keep themselves and their families safe from the infection. Further, it was informed that the J&K Govt. has approved establishment of 36 oxygen generation plants across the UT to make it self-sufficient in catering to the rising demand of oxygen.<br />