New Delhi: PM Modi chairs high-level meeting on Covid-19 situation on Thursday. He emphasized genome sequencing and increased testing while warning states against any complacency in the face of the threat of rising Covid cases.
PM Modi expressed the views at a review meeting where he pledged to oversee the state and preparedness of the country’s public health response to Covid-19, amid reports of a rise in cases in countries such as neighboring China, the US, Italy, Japan and the South. Korea.
Prime Minister Modi called for strict vigilance and emphasized the need for enhanced surveillance, focusing on genome sequencing and increased testing. States have also been advised to ensure operational readiness of hospital infrastructure in case of a surge in cases in the country.
He also recommended observing appropriate Covid behavior, including wearing masks, and also emphasized a preventive dose of vaccination for the elderly and vulnerable population groups.
Prime Minister urged everyone to follow Covid appropriate behaviour at all times, especially in view of the upcoming festive season, including wearing masks in crowded public places. Prime Minister also urged that that precaution dose may be encouraged especially for vulnerable and elderly groups.
On review meeting official sources said the prime minister was informed that there was sufficient availability of medicines, vaccines and hospital beds. Prime Minister stressed the need to ensure that the entire Covid infrastructure at all levels is maintained at a high level of preparedness in terms of equipment, processes and human resources.Â
He advised States to audit Covid specific facilities to ensure operational readiness of Hospital Infrastructure, including Oxygen Cylinders, PSA plants, ventilators and human resources.
During the meeting, the Minister of Health gave a presentation to the Prime Minister on the global situation of Covid-19, including the increasing cases in several countries.
The Prime Minister informed that India witnessed a sustained decline in cases with the average daily decline to 153 and weekly positivity to 0.14 per cent for the week ending December 22, 2022. However, since the last six weeks, an average of 5.9 million cases per day have been reported worldwide.
The meeting attended by Home Minister Amit Shah, Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur. Besides, Principal Secretary to PM P K Mishra, Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba, Home Minister Ajay Bhalla, Health Minister Rajesh Bhushan and other senior government officials were also present in the meeting.
You Read | PM Modi chairs high-level meeting on Covid-19 situation, Emphasises on increased testing
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