Covid-19: Hospitals across country to hold mock drills to tackle any spike

The mock drills, which will be led by respective state health ministers, will focus on the availability of beds, human resources, logistics and the supply chain of medical oxygen.

Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya led the drill at Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi, the national capital and a union territory, on Tuesday.

Mandaviya on Monday said at a meeting of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) as quoted by NDTV, "Such exercises would help our operational readiness, help in filling gaps if any and will consequently strengthen our public health response."

Several states have already advised people to follow the basic Covid norms like physical distancing and usage of masks, sanitizers.

The earlier spikes in Covid cases, particularly the second wave, had left the country's health infrastructure paralysed, leaving heart-rending scenes of patients struggling to breathe due to lack of medical oxygen and relatives running from pillar to post to find a hospital bed for their loved ones.