PM Modi chairs meeting to assess COVID-19 situation

In order to examine the COVID-19 situation in the nation, the readiness of the healthcare system, the appearance of variations, and their consequences for public health, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presided over a high-level meeting on Thursday. He also issued a warning against complacency. He urged personnel to maintain rigorous vigilance and reminded them that COVID is still active, particularly at international airports. The increase of COVID-19 cases in various nations served as the setting for this high-level review conference.

The prime minister evaluated the nation’s immunisation campaign’s progress in addition to assessing the readiness of the health system’s infrastructure and logistics.

The Secretary of Health and a Member of NITI Aayog gave a thorough presentation on the worldwide COVID-19 situation, including the increase in cases in various nations.

The average daily cases in India have decreased steadily, to 153, and the weekly positive rate has decreased to 0.14 percent in the week ending December 22, 2022, according to information provided to the Prime Minister.

However, during the past six weeks, 5.9 lakh cases on average every day have been reported worldwide.

“PM cautioned against complacency and advised strict vigil. He reiterated that COVID is not over yet and directed officials to strengthen the ongoing surveillance measures, especially at international airports,” a PMO release said.

The Prime Minister emphasised the need of maintaining the COVID infrastructure at all levels at a high level of readiness in terms of tools, procedures, and personnel.

In order to verify the operational preparedness of hospital infrastructure, such as oxygen cylinders, PSA plants, ventilators, and human resources, he suggested states to evaluate COVID-specific facilities.

PM Modi gave instructions to authorities to step up testing and genome sequencing initiatives. The designated INSACOG Genome Sequencing Laboratories (lGSLs), which do daily genome sequencing, have requested that states share more samples with them.

According to the statement, this will help in the prompt discovery of any novel varieties that may be present in the nation and ease the implementation of necessary public health measures.

The Prime Minister asked everyone to always act in a COVID-appropriate manner, including using masks in busy public areas, especially in light of the impending holiday season.

The preventive dose may be recommended, especially for disadvantaged and elderly individuals, PM Modi further advised.
The availability of medications, vaccinations, and hospital beds is sufficient, the prime minister was assured.

He suggested continuous monitoring of the availability and costs of necessary medications.
The Prime Minister commended the highly regarded work of the front-line healthcare staff and urged them to go on in the same selfless and devoted way.

The Prime Minister asked everyone to always act in a COVID-appropriate manner, including using masks in busy public areas, especially in light of the impending holiday season.

The preventive dose may be recommended, especially for disadvantaged and elderly individuals, PM Modi further advised.
The availability of medications, vaccinations, and hospital beds is sufficient, the prime minister was assured.

He suggested continuous monitoring of the availability and costs of necessary medications. The Prime Minister commended the highly regarded work of the front-line healthcare staff and urged them to go on in the same selfless and devoted way.

Amit Shah, the Union Home Minister, Mansukh Mandaviya, the Union Health Minister, Jyotiraditya Scindia, the Minister of External Affairs, S. Jaishankar, the Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Anurag Thakur, and Minister of State for Health, Bharati Pravin Pawar all attended the meeting.

Senior government officials who attended the meeting included Principal Secretary to the PM PK Mishra, NITI Aayog CEO Parameswaran Iyer, Member (Health) NITI Aayog Dr. VK Paul, Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba, PMO Advisor Amit Khare, Home Secretary AK Bhalla, Secretary (HFW) Rajesh Bhushan, and Secretary (DHR) Dr. Rajiv Bahl.

In light of the recent surge in COVID-19 cases in several nations, Union Health Minister Manuskh Mandaviya presided over a high-level meeting on Wednesday to examine the COVID-19 situation in India and the public health system’s readiness for surveillance, containment, and management of COVID-19.

Some nations, including China, Japan, South Korea, France, and the United States, have seen a spike in COVID-19 instances.
Four instances of the BF.7 Omicron sub-variant, which is causing the current outbreak of illnesses in China, have been recorded from India in the past six months.