JOIN USPM stresses 'Test-Track-Treat-Vaccinate' approach in meeting with CMs
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday asked chief ministers of six of the worst-hit states by Covid-19 to take “proactive measures” to prevent the possibility of a third wave of the pandemic.
Interacting with chief ministers of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, Maharashtra and Kerala, the Prime Minister said these six states have reported 80% of the total Covid-19 cases detected last week as well as 84% of the total fatalities.
“We have to remind the people time and again that the Covid-19 pandemic is not over yet,” he said, adding that the US, Europe and even eastern nations such as Bangladesh, Myanmar, Indonesia and Thailand have reported an exponential increase in fresh infections.
He asked the chief ministers to plug the gaps in the health infrastructure in their respective states, particularly in the rural areas, using the Rs 23,000 crore Emergency Covid Response Fund.
“Initially, experts believed that the situation would be in control first in states where the second wave of the pandemic began. But, cases are increasing in Maharashtra and Kerala. This indeed is a matter of serious concern for all of us,” the prime minister said.
Experts have cautioned that if cases continue to rise for a long time, chances of mutation of the virus also increase, Modi said, asking chief ministers to follow the strategy of test-track-treat-vaccination with a special focus of micro-containment zones.
He said the six states have been allotted 332 PSA oxygen plants of which only 53 have been commissioned.
Modi asked chief ministers to deploy an officer dedicated to ensure commissioning of the PSA oxygen plants in mission mode within the next 15-20 days.
He emphasised on the need to prevent crowds from gathering at public places, and stressed on the need to be aware, alert and strict in this regard.