PM Modi calls on 'effective weapons' to CMs to beat COVID-19

New Delhi August 11: "Containment, contact tracing, and surveillance are the most effective weapons in this battle against COVID -19 " Prime Minister Narendra Modi said while interacting with Chief Ministers via video conferencing on Tuesday. He interacted with the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Punjab, Bihar, Gujarat, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh to discuss the current situation and plan for tackling the pandemic. He was apprised of the Covid19 situation in the respective states.

 

 

He also mentioned that almost 80% of active cases are from the participating 10 states and if the virus is defeated in these ten states, the entire country will emerge victorious in the battle against COVID-19.

 

 

Prime Minister noted that the number of daily tests has reached almost 7 lakh and is increasing continuously, which has helped in early identification and containment. The average fatality rate in the country is amongst the lowest in the country and is continuously going down. The percentage of active cases is reducing, while the recovery rate is increasing, he said. He noted that these steps have boosted the confidence of people, and said that the target of bringing down the fatality rate below 1% can be achieved soon.

 

Speaking at the meeting with Chief Ministers, he further added that we need to follow a new mantra - all those who have come in contact with an infected person should be traced and tested within 72 hours adding that if we can identify the cases in the initial 72 hours, then the spread of the virus can be slowed down.

 

PM Modi also said that it has emerged from the discussion that there is an urgent need to ramp up testing in Bihar, Gujarat, UP, West Bengal, and Telangana. He said that containment, contact tracing, and surveillance are the most effective weapons in this battle. People have become aware and are ably assisting these efforts, as a result of which, we have been successful in using home quarantine so effectively.

 

Prime Minister recounted the experience of the Home Minister in preparing a roadmap for tackling the pandemic together with Delhi and nearby states. He said that the main pillars of this strategy were segregation of containment zones and focus on screening, especially of those in the high-risk category. The results of these steps are there for all to see, he said, adding that steps like better management in hospitals and increasing ICU beds also proved very helpful.

 

The Chief Ministers provided feedback on the ground situation in their states. They praised the leadership of the Prime Minister for the successful management of the pandemic and thanked him for his constant guidance and support. They talked about tests being conducted, steps taken to increase testing, use of telemedicine, and efforts to ramp up health infrastructure. They requested further guidance by the Union Health Ministry for conducting sero-surveillance, while also suggesting the setting up of an integrated medical infrastructure in the country.

 

Besides, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also emphasized that the government is making all possible efforts in this battle against the virus, which have been praised by the World Health Organization as well.