<span style="color: #222222;">Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan today reviewed preparedness and containment measures taken for COVID-19 management in Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Karnataka through Video Conferencing.<br />'' <br />'' He held the meeting with Health Minister of Tamil Nadu, Dr. C. Vijayabaskar, Health Minister of Telangana,  Etela Rajendra and Medical Education Minister of Karnataka  Dr. K. Sudhakar in presence of senior officials.<br />'' <br />'' He informed the States about the present situation in the country and the steps taken by the Centre to combat COVID-19 so far. Dr. Vardhan stated that appropriate measures are being taken to combat COVID-19.<br />'' <br />'' He said, with the cohesive efforts of both Centre and States, adequate numbers of dedicated COVID hospitals, Isolation and ICU beds and Quarantine are being identified and developed so far. He said, we are well-prepared to face any eventuality due to COVID-19.<br />'' <br />'' After a brief presentation on the status of COVID-19 cases and its management in these States, Dr Vardhan said that States need to focus on more effective surveillance, contact tracing and early diagnosis to keep low fatality rate.<br />'' <br />'' He said, surveillance for severe acute respiratory infections and influenza like illness  should be intensified in unaffected districts and districts which have not reported cases from last 14 days.<br />'' <br />'' The Union Health Minister also  stressed on the need to ensure adoption of Infection, Prevention and Control practices in all healthcare settings to avoid chances of infections to health care workers.<br />'' <br />'' States were advised to ensure that all Central Guidelines and advisories are implemented at  the field level in earnest.<br />'' <br />'' During the Video Conference, it was reiterated to the States that attention needs to be accorded to provisioning of non-COVID essential health services such as immunisation drives, TB case tracing and treatment and providing blood transfusion for dialysis patients.<br />''  <br />''Dr Harsh Vardhan also spoke to the District Magistrates of various districts of Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Karnataka and discussed in detail the status and management of COVID-19 in the districts.</span><br />