Covid is not over, need to follow protocol: PM to CMs of 6 states

New Delhi, 16 July (H.S): The Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday reiterated that Corona is not over and expressed deep concern over the pictures that are coming post lockdown. He emphasized need to follow protocol and avoid crowding as many states in the meeting have metropolitan cities with dense population. He also called upon political parties, social organizations, and NGOs to spread awareness among people.

He was speaking during an interaction with Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, Maharashtra and Kerala to discuss Covid related situation. union Home Minister, Amit Shah and union Health Minister were also present in the meeting.

The Prime Minister noted with concern the rise of number of cases in Europe, America and Bangladesh, Indonesia Thailand and many other countries. He said that this should alert us and the world simultaneously.

During the meeting, the CMs of the States briefed the Prime Minister about the progress of vaccination and steps being taken to contain the spread of the virus in their states.

The Chief Ministers talked about the steps taken to boost medical infrastructure and gave suggestions on dealing with any possible rise of cases in future. They also discussed post-Covid issues being faced by patients and steps being taken to provide assistance in such cases. They gave assurance that they are doing their best to control the surge of infection.

During the meeting, Amit Shah mentioned that these six states account for more than eighty percent of the total cases during the month of July, while some of these states have very high test positivity rate as well. union Health Secretary discussed the Covid cases in the country, and talked about the need to reinforce Covid appropriate behaviour and containment measures in the districts with high case load. He also suggested that opening up of these districts should be done in a graded and calibrated manner.

In his closing remarks the Prime Minister lauded the state governments for their mutual cooperation and learning in their fight against the pandemic. The Prime Minister said that all of us are at a point where apprehensions of the third wave are continuously expressed. Despite experts giving positive signals due to the downward trends increasing number of cases in few states is still worrisome. The Prime Minister pointed out that during the last week 80 per cent cases as well as 84 per cent unfortunate deaths came from the states present in the meeting. Initially experts believed that states where the second wave originated will see the normalization first. However, increasing numbers in Kerala and Maharashtra are cause of grave worry, said the Prime Minister.

PM Modi underlined the expert?s view that if the cases keep on rising for long time, chances of mutation of the Corona virus will also increase and dangers of new variants will also rise. Therefore, we need to continue with the strategy of Test, Track, Treat and Teeka (vaccination) while putting special focus on Micro-containment zones, the PM said. Districts with large numbers should be focused on. Modi stressed upon increased testing in entire states. Terming vaccine as a strategic tool for high infection areas, the Prime Minister stressed the effective use of vaccination. The Prime Minister praised the states who are using this time to improve their RT-PCR testing capacity.

The Prime Minister talked of the financial help that is being provided for enhancing medial infrastructure like ICU beds and testing capacity. Referring to the recently approved Rs 23000 emergency Covid response package, the Prime Minister asked the states to use the funds to strengthen medical infrastructure.

Modi exhorted the states to fill the infrastructural gaps, especially in the rural areas. He also asked to strengthen IT systems, control rooms and call centres so that citizens get access to resources and data in a transparent manner and patients are spared the hassle. Modi said that out of 332 PSA plants allocated to the states present in the meeting, 53 plants have been commissioned. He asked the Chief Ministers to expedite the completion of the plants. The Prime Minister made special mention of the need to protect children from being infected and make all possible arrangement in this regard.