Take more proactive steps, PM asks states with high Covid cases

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday states reporting a large number of new Covid-19 cases must take proactive measures to stop a potential third wave of the coronavirus pandemic. The Prime Minister was meeting chief ministers from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, Kerala and Maharashtra - the six states with the highest daily trends at this time. These states have contributed 80 per cent of new cases and 84 per cent of deaths in the past week alone, 

"To stop the third wave of COVID-19 is absolutely necessary. We have a strategy in place - 'test, track, treat and teeka (vaccinate)'. You are all familiar with this approach and are well-versed in it. This must be a priority," Prime Minister Modi said. "If the situation is not brought under control, there may be trouble ahead," he told the state leaders, while also highlighting the need to increase testing. "Increased RT-PCR testing is important to identify and help control the spread of the virus." PM Modi said that the rising Covid-19 cases across the world are a warning sign for India to not take the threat lightly. Reiterating his concern over unmasked tourists flocking to towns and cities, the Prime Minister said the administration must remind citizens that Covid-19 is not yet over.

"The centre has approved PSA oxygen plants for all states. These are crucial... assign a senior officer to personally oversee setup... in 15-20 days," the Prime Minister said. "I have been informed that of the 332 PSA plants allocated to your states to combat the Covid-19 threat, only 53 have been commissioned," PM Modi highlighted. "I request every state to complete all the PSA plants that have been assigned on an emergency basis."