With the rapid emergence of highly transmissible Omicron variants in different parts of India, PM Narendra Modi on Thursday focused that the pandemic is not yet over and directed the task forces to send teams from the Centre to states to report about the surge in cases and the loopholes in health infrastructure.
PM Modi chaired a high-level meeting days before Christmas and New Year and directed his officials to stay alert as the festive season may bring in a lot of new cases. After a presentation by the health ministry, he instructed the authorities to ensure that in COVID 19 hotspots proper protocols are being followed and monitored.
The PMO said in a statement that the fight against COVID 19 is not yet over and the need to follow COVID 19 protocols is fundamental even today. Till Thursday, India reported 236 Omicron cases of which 104 have fully recovered. Around 7 states have reported Omicron cases in double digits, Delhi and Maharashtra have the highest number i.e. 129 in total.
The personalities that attended the meeting were the Principal Scientific Advisor, Cabinet Secretary, DG ICMR, Member (Health) in Niti Aayog, Secretaries in the departments of Home, Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology, Health and Family Welfare, Ayush and Urban Development.
The districts that have low vaccination coverage are more vulnerable to this new variant. The PM also asked officials to send different teams from the Centre to amp up the vaccination program in such areas. Till now India has administered 140.31 crore doses with 89 % of the adult population receiving a single dose and 60.5 % receiving both doses.
PM Modi directed the officials to ensure that the health systems are well–equipped at the district level in case of any life-threatening challenge like the 2nd wave. He instructed that the oxygen supply equipment be fully functional and directed the states to use teleconsultation.
“Officials briefed the PM about the emerging scenario globally driven by the new variant, with an overview of a surge in cases in countries having high vaccination coverage and presence of the Omicron variant. He was also apprised of the Technical Brief and priority actions recommended by WHO in the context of Omicron,” the PMO said in a statement.
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