Surveillance  

Aiming to keep the borders under surveillance, the Indian Army has signed a contract worth $20 million (Rs 146 crore) with drone maker ideaForge for procurement of high-altitude variant of SWITCH UAVs. Anish Singh reports

 The Centre has asked local authorities to boost surveillance around water bodies, live bird markets, zoos and poultry farms.
 

Indian Navy has leased two MQ-9B SeaGuardian UAVs from the outgoing Donald Trump administration to boost its intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, in the midst of the border row with China. 

The MHA said only essential activities will be allowed in Containment Zones. Local, district, police and municipal authorities shall be responsible to ensure that prescribed measures are strictly followed and state/UT governments shall ensure accountability of concerned officers.

 Media report claims Chinese PLA troops have transgressed further into Indian territories. However, the government and the Indian Army have called this media report fake.

The crucial BECA pact will pave the way for India to get access to geospatial information, including nautical and aeronautical charts, via highly accurate US satellites. 

The Centre on September 23 suggested that Karnataka must concentrate more on nine districts that have a greater number of COVID-19 deaths recorded. The Centre has asked the state to increase surveillance and RT PCR tests. 

The sero-surveillance report of West Midnapore district states that there is no antibody stability in the body of COVID-19 patients and that there are chances of them getting re-infected again. The report added that antibodies are stable for only two months on average.
 

There was disagreement with the West Bengal Governor over his remarks on surveillance at Raj Bhavan. A different tune was heard from the throat of BJP leader Mukul Roy.

Raj Bhavan has been placed under surveillance "undermining the sanctity" of the institution, the Governor of West Bengal stated, prompting Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra to respond on Twitter. Dhankhar alleged that the administration is acting in a manner that is "seriously compromising" the activities of political opponents.
 

Health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said India's clinical protocol has focused on early detection through widespread testing, surveillance, prompt triaging and clinical management of cases.

The country-wide strong network of ASHAs and ANMs along with Ayushman Bharat  Health and Wellness Centres have helped in effective surveillance and contact tracing of the cases, including the lakhs of migrants and returnees

 

 Police officials also said the surveillance team was scanning over 500 mobile phones and efforts were on to retrieve information pertaining to Vikas Dubey

The Indian Navy was asked to raise its alert level in the Indian Ocean Region where Chinese Navy has been making regular forays.
 

The apex health research body has also advised authorities to enable all government and private hospitals, offices and public sector units to perform antibody-based COVID-19 testing for surveillance to help allay fears and anxiety of healthcare workers and office employees.