Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday chaired a virtual Covid review meeting with chief ministers of states as the country goes through the second wave of coronavirus, with daily cases exceeding one lakh mark.
Addressing the nation after the covid review meeting with CMs, PM Modi said, "A challenging situation is emerging again. I request you all to give your suggestions to tackle the COVID19 situation."
The Prime Minister said that last year when the country started reporting coronavirus cases, the nation was not prepared on how to tackle it, therefore, a lockdown was imposed to get the arrangement done such as manufacturing of masks, ventilators, preparing the hospitals to fight the pandemic but today we have all the arrangements, infrastructure, so there is a need to make micro-containment zones.
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'People have become too casual about Covid appropriate behaviour'
PM Modi said that people have become far too casual in their approach towards covid appropriate behaviour.
"Once again we need to raise awareness about the importance of wearing a mask and following COVID-19 safety protocols," he said during a review meeting with chief ministers.
Remember, we won fight without vaccine previously: PM Modi
Further speaking about his meeting with CMs, PM Modi said, "we raised the issue of mortality rate, we have to make sure it remains as low as possible. We should have comprehensive data about patients illnesses etc. this will help save their lives."
"I appeal to you all to stress on COVID-19 testing. Our target is to do 70% RT-PCR tests. Let the number of positive cases come high, but do maximum testing. Proper sample collection is very important, it can be checked through proper governance."
The Prime Minister told heads of states not to worry if a particular state is reporting an increasing trend of covid cases adding that only testing can track the spread of the virus and therefore treatment can be ensured. But if testing will not take place, then asymptomatic patients will keep on spreading the virus.
"Today, the problem is that we have forgotten about COVID19 testing and have moved to vaccination. We have to remember that we had won the fight against COVID19 without a vaccine. We have to emphasise on testing," he said.
"We need to prioritise (vaccine distribution) with what we have. We won't get the result by keeping vaccines in one state. It is not right to think in this way. We have to manage by thinking about the country," PM Modi told states.
Call it Corona curfew instead, says PM Modi
"We must concentrate on micro-containment zones. In places where night curfew has been imposed, I would urge to use the word 'Corona Curfew', to continue alertness about coronavirus. It will be better to start curfew timing from 9 pm or 10 pm till 5 am or 6 am," said PM Modi.
Tika Utsav
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India registers record spike in covid cases
In the last 24 hours, India registered a record single-day spike of 1,26,789 new COVID-19 cases, pushing its infection tally to 1,29,28,574, while the number of active cases too went upwards to breach the nine lakh-mark again, according to the Union Health Ministry data.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi took his second dose of coronavirus vaccine and urged citizens who are eligible to receive the vaccine to register on the Co-WIN app and get their shot.
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