Must stop emerging 'second peak' of Covid-19; quick, decisive steps needed: PM tells CMs
He said it was critical to stop what he called the "emerging second peak" of Covid with decisive steps including micro-containment zones, increased testing and enforcement of restrictions like masks.
FollowNew Delhi: Expressing concern over the surge in Covid-19 cases in states like Maharashtra and Punjab, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said quick and decisive steps were needed to immediately stop the emerging second wave of Covid-19.
He said it was critical to stop what he called the "emerging second peak" of Covid with decisive steps including micro-containment zones, increased testing and enforcement of restrictions like masks.
"If we don't stop this pandemic right now, then there could be a nationwide outbreak. We have to immediately stop the emerging second peak and take big and decisive steps," PM Modi told the Chief Ministers.
The Wednesday meeting coincided with India recording this year's highest single-day tally of fresh Covid-19 cases.
Here are the highlights from PM Modi's address:
· The confidence we have achieved from our battle against the coronavirus should not be turned into carelessness. We have to solve the problem without creating panic.
· We need to continue our strategy of 'test, track and treat'. We need to track the maximum number of contacts of an infected person and we need to keep the RT-PCR test rate above 70%.
· If we don't stop Covid right now, then there could be a nationwide outbreak. We will have to immediately stop the emerging second wave of Corona and for this, we will have to take quick and decisive steps.
· Must curb vaccine wastage as much as possible. This is something that must not happen and needs urgent attention.
· India's fight against Covid cited as example in world, our recovery rate over 96 percent & fatality among lowest. Today in India more than 96% of the cases have recovered. India is one of those countries where the fatality rate is one of the lowest.
· Vaccine and strictness should be our motto for now. We have to increase testing in small cities.
· We don't have to bring the public into panic mode. We don't have to bring a situation where there is an atmosphere of fear. We have to free the people off difficulties by taking some precautions and initiatives.
Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, campaigning for the approaching state election, was missing as PM Modi interacted with Chief Ministers via video conference, as he has done frequently since the coronavirus outbreak a year ago. Also absent were Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath - who is reportedly campaigning for the BJP in Assam -- and Bhupesh Baghel, the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, which is one of the five worst-affected states, with the highest deaths in the last 24 hours.
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