Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday warned of a ‘nationwide outbreak’ of coronavirus adding that it was critical to stop the ’emerging second peak’. PM Modi was speaking at a virtual meeting with Chief Ministers amid a steady spike in COVID-19 cases in several states.
Among the steps suggested by the Prime Minister were the creation of micro-containment zones, increasing testing and strictly enforcing anti-COVID measures such as social distancing, wearing masks and hand hygiene.
India on Wednesday reported 28,903 new COVID-19 cases, the highest daily rise since December 11, even as the national vaccination programme crossed the 25-million mark. Among the states that have witnessed a spike are Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
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Here are the highlights from the meeting:
* PM Narendra Modi said, “If we do not stop it (coronavirus) here, then a condition for a nationwide outbreak may emerge.”
* The Prime Minister said nearly 70 districts in the country had seen an increase in the positivity rate by over 150% recently.
*People should not be put in panic-mode but need to ensure that they get rid of this problem as well, the PM said.
*”Test, track and treat” should be taken as seriously now as it has been for over a year since the outbreak, he added.
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*”The self-confidence that we gained in our corona fight should not turn into overconfidence. Our success should not be the reason for carelessness,” the PM said.
* The Prime Minister highlighted the fact that this time smaller cities were reporting more cases. Tier 2 and 3 towns, which had escaped the first wave, are getting affected this time round. It would not take much for the virus to spread to villages from there, he added.
* Warning against wastage of any vaccines, the PM said the states must use the shot available to them before the expiry date.
* Referring to Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, the two worst-hit states, the PM said the positivity rate in both the state is high and the number of daily cases in these states is also rising.