Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed concern about the rise in Covid-19 cases in Maharashtra and Punjab on Wednesday, saying that swift and decisive action was required to avoid the evolving second wave of Covid-19, even as he raised the question of vaccine wastage in some states.
At a meeting with Chief Ministers today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said it was crucial to avoid the “emerging second peak” of Covid with drastic measures such as micro-containment zones, intensified testing, and implementation of restrictions such as masks, amid an alarming rise in Covid cases in some states.
“There could be a national epidemic if we don’t avert this outbreak right now. We must urgently halt the onset of the second peak and take bold and swift action “Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Chief Ministers.
PM Modi said in a videoconference meeting with chief ministers that Covid-19 cases have risen by 150 percent in 70 districts across the country in the last few weeks.
“An increase in cases is being seen in many districts that had protected themselves so far and were kind of safe-zones. We will have to immediately stop the emerging second wave of Covid-19 and for this, we will have to take quick and decisive steps,” PM Modi said at the meeting.
The PM said it was worth remembering that the districts that had seen a surge in the past few days were also the regions where testing and vaccination were comparatively less.
Increased RT-PCR checks for better monitoring and control of the virus, as well as a priority on smaller cities, were among the Prime Minister’s demands.
“RTPCR should account for more than 70% of the tests. States should not focus on rapid testing of antigen, “PM Modi said that it refers to Kerala, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Uttar Pradesh.
Most cases since Mid Dec
India has reported the largest growth since mid-December in the number of new cases, which causes fears that a new outbreak of Covid-19 infections has begun. India reported 28,903 new cases in 24 hours and on Wednesday registered the highest daily record of Coronavirus infections. Presently, Covid of India’s 1,14,38,734 caseload.
PM highlights the issue of vaccine wastage
In countries including Uttar Pradesh Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, the Premier highlighted the topic of vaccination waste.
“I have a very urgent need to address the problem of vaccine wastage. In Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, vaccine waste is more than 10%. It’s almost the same in UP. Why this occurs should be investigated. Observation must be carried out, “says the PM.
The Government’s vaccine campaign has been extended from 1 March to senior citizens. Everybody over 60 years of age with certain co-morbidities mentioned above — Covaxin from Bharat Biotech and Covishield from Serum Institute — is eligible for Covid-19 vaccines approved by the Centre.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel, and Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath did not attend the meeting.
