Bring down COVID-19 positivity rate under 5%, increase RT-PCR tests: PM Modi to CMs

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a review meeting with chief ministers of various states over the COVID-19 situation.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray, Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani, Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot, Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal are among those are present at the meeting, being held via video conferencing. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, NITI Aayog’s Dr VK Paul, Cabinet secretary, and Health Secretary are also attending the crucial meet.

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The meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief ministers of various states over the COVID-19 situation is currently underway. Citing pollution as an important factor behind surge of coronavirus cases, Kejriwal also sought PM Modi’s intervention to get rid of pollution due to stubble burning from adjoining states, especially in view of recent bio decomposer.

UPDATES:

# It’s yet not decided which vaccine will cost how much. Though 2 India-based vaccines are at the forefront, we’re working with global firms also. Even after drugs being available for years, some people have adverse reactions. So a decision needs to be taken on scientific basis: PM Modi

# Spoke to CMs of Tamil Nadu & Puducherry & will speak to Andhra Pradesh CM. A cyclone is active on our eastern shores which will affect these states. GOI teams are active & at spot. Centre & states are working together, priority is to evaluate & save people: PM Modi

# This mission of Coronavirus vaccination of each citizen is like a national commitment. Each State and stakeholder has to work as a team to ensure that this mission is systematic, smooth and a sustained effort: PM Modi

# I urge states to send detailed plans soon on how they plan to take vaccine to lowest levels. It’ll help us in making decisions as your experiences are valuable. I hope for your pro-active participation. Vaccine work is ongoing but I request you there should be no carelessness: PM Modi

# The States are required to establish cold storage facilities for COVID19 vaccine: PM Modi

# It is not certain whether there will be one, two or three doses of a vaccine. It is also not decided what will be the price of the vaccine. We still don’t have answers to these questions: PM Modi

# Carelessness crept in among some people in dealing with COVID-19, we now have to work to spread awareness again: PM Modi

# Government of India is keeping a track of each development in vaccine development. We are in touch with Indian vaccine developers and manufacturers. We are also in touch with global regulators, governments of other countries, multinational orgs & international companies: PM Modi

# Safety is as important as speed for us, whichever vaccine India will give to its citizens will be safe on all scientific standards. Vaccine distribution strategy will be chalked out in collective coordination with states. States must also start working cold storage facilities: PM Modi

# Seeing good recovery rates, many think virus is weak & they’ll recover soon, this has led to rampant carelessness… Those working on vaccine are doing it but we need to focus on ensuring that people are alert & transmission is curbed. We’ve to bring positivity rate under 5%: PM Modi

# As a result of joint efforts, today India is in a better situation than other countries when it comes to recovery and fatality rates: PM Modi

# There is also a focus on making oxygen and ventilators available. We are trying to make the medical colleges and district hospitals self-sufficient in oxygen generation. Efforts underway to establish more than 160 oxygen generation plants in the country: PM Modi

# Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray informed PM Narendra Modi that he is in constant touch with Adar Poonawalla of Serum Institute and that the state has formed a task force to ensure timely distribution of vaccine and executing the vaccination programme: Maharashtra CMO

# Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal informed PM Modi that Delhi saw a peak of 8600 Covid-19 cases on 10 November in the third peak. Since then cases & positivity rate are steadily decreasing. The high severity of third wave is due to many factors including pollution: CMO

# Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal sought PM’s intervention to get rid of pollution due to stubble burning from adjoining states especially in view of recent bio decomposer. CM sought reservation of additional 1000 ICU beds in central govt hospitals till third wave lasts: CMO

# Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel joins the meeting

Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel is attending the meeting with PM Narendra Modi & other chief ministers over #COVID19 situation. Home Minister Amit Shah also participating.

(Photo source: Chhattisgarh CMO) pic.twitter.com/xkmCBNBp4g

— ANI (@ANI) November 24, 2020

The Health Ministry said that the three-member teams will visit the districts reporting a high number of COVID cases and support the State’s efforts towards strengthening containment, surveillance, testing, infection prevention and control measures and efficient clinical management of the positive cases.

Earlier, the Central government had sent high-level teams to Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Manipur and Chhattisgarh.

On November 20, the Prime Minister held a meeting to review India’s vaccination strategy and discussed important issues related to progress of vaccine development, regulatory approvals and procurement with top officials.

India’s coronavirus count crossed the 91-lakh mark on Monday after 44,059 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours, according to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

The overall cases reached 91,39,866 including 4,43,486 active cases and 85,62,641 recoveries. With 511 new deaths, the death toll mounted to 1,33,738.

The country is reporting around 30,000 to 47,000- daily new cases for the past few days.