As the country witnessed an alarming rise in Omicron cases in the last 24 hours, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on Thursday held a review meeting with Chief Ministers (CMs) of all States.
Modi said that “vaccination” and the “local containment” that did not impede “economic activities” should form part of their strategy to counter the new variant of the Covid-19 virus.
Cautioning all to be “alert”, the PM said Omicron is “rapidly spreading” and called for adhering to the Covid-19 protocol that includes masking and social distancing.
“Compared to previous variants, Omicron is rapidly spreading...it’s more transmissible...Our health experts are assessing the situation. It’s clear that we have to stay alert, but also ensure to avoid panic,” said Mode during the meeting with the CMs.
Almost all CMs attended the meet with Modi calling for continuous cooperation between the Centre and the States and expressed happiness that all were confident of overcoming the current spell of the infection.
“The Rs 23,000 core package allocated by the Centre to the States has been utilised well with many States are strengthening their health infrastructure. The Centre and States need to follow this pre-emptive, collective, and proactive approach this time too,” he said.
Union Home Minister Amity Shah and Health Minister Minsk Mandaviya attended the meeting that was held virtually.
Modi said given the past two years experience of fighting coronavirus, all States need to see that the speed of economic activities continues while managing the current wave of the pandemic.
“Any strategy needs to keep this thing in mind”, he said and suggested “local containment from where large cases are emerging.”
Modi asked CMs of States where a surge of cases is palpable, to encourage “home isolation so that there is less pressure on the hospitals.”
Better home treatment and tracking would prevent crowding of hospitals, the PM said, adding he was happy “many States were doing innovative experiments in Covid management.”
The Centre and States need to further accelerate the ‘Har Ghar Dastak’ programme to reach 100 per cent vaccination coverage, he said.
Modi said the Centre has developed tele-medicine techniques which “greatly helped Corona patients”.
The PM told the CMs that there is need that “we remain ahead of all Corona variants now and mutual cooperation would give us strength in this fight...”.
“We, the 130 crore people of India, will surely emerge victorious from the Coronavirus pandemic with our collective efforts”, he said. “Initial skepticism about Omicron is slowly getting cleared. This variant is infecting the general population several times faster than previous ones”, he cautioned.
“Hard work is our only path and victory is our only option...”, said Modi who assured that the Centre was extending all help to the States in coping with the latest surge.
The CMs thanked the PM for his support and guidance and for funds provided by the Central Government which has been of immense help in boosting health infrastructure.
The CMs talked about preparedness to tackle increasing cases, through steps like increase in beds, oxygen availability etc.
The Karnataka CM talked about the spread of cases in Bengaluru and measures taken to contain spread in apartments.
The West Bengal CM discussed the possible increase in cases in the State on account of upcoming festivities and the administration’s preparation to tackle it.
The Tamil Nadu CM said the State stands together with the Centre in the fight against this wave, while the Jharkhand CM talked about misconceptions in some rural and tribal areas which have caused some difficulties in the vaccination programme.
The Uttar Pradesh CM spoke about steps being taken to ensure that no one is left out of the vaccination drive. Punjab CM thanked the PM for funds and infrastructure support, especially in meeting oxygen requirements and Assam CM said that steps like precaution dose have proved to be an immense confidence booster. Manipur CM said that the State is taking efforts to increase the vaccination coverage.
Meanwhile, the Health Minister complimented the youth for showing“great sense of responsibility & enthusiasm” as over 3 crore youngsters between the 15-18 age group have received the 1st dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, he said.