Only 60 districts in 7 states are a cause of worry: PM Modi at Covid-19 review meet

Only 60 districts in 7 states are a cause of worry: PM Modi at Covid-19 review meet

ANI | Sep 23, 2020, 09.12 PM IST

Only 60 districts in 7 states are a cause of worry: PM Modi at Covid-19 review meet

NEW DELHI: Only 60 districts in seven states of the country are a cause of worry, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday while chairing a Covid-19 review meeting.

The Prime Minister chaired a high-level virtual meeting with chief ministers and health ministers of seven high burden Covid-19 States/Union Territory to review Covid-19 response and management.

The seven states/UTs are Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Delhi and Punjab.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister said, "There are more than 700 districts in the country but only 60 districts in seven states are a cause of worry. I suggest that chief ministers hold a virtual conference with people at district/block level for seven days. We have to learn the best practices from across the states."

As a step to contain the spread of coronavirus cases in these states, PM Modi suggested increasing the focus on effective testing, tracing, treatment, surveillance and clear messaging.

"We need to increase our focus on effective testing, tracing, treatment, surveillance and clear messaging," said Modi.

For asymptomatic Covid-19 cases, he said, "Effective messaging is also necessary because most Covid-19 infections are without symptoms. In such a situation, rumours may arise. It might raise doubts in the minds of the people that testing is bad. Some people also make the mistake of underestimating the severity of the infection."

He said, "India has ensured the supply of life-saving medicines all over the world even in difficult times. We have to work together to see that the medicines easily reach from one state to another."

Modi also urged the state governments to focus on micro-containment.

He also suggested implementation of local lockdowns of a day or two and accordingly review the situation suitable in the respective state/Union Territory.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said that on September 25, Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) will be completing two years.

"Within two years, the scheme has benefited over 1.25 crore poor people/patients in the country. I appreciate all the medical staff who has made this a success," he said.

He said a major decision has been taken on the usage of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). He said the decision has been taken to increase the usage of funds from 35 per cent to 50 per cent."

The Prime Minister also emphasised on the wearing of facial masks to contain the spread of virus in public places.

"Mask is important to contain the spread of Covid-19 virus," he added.

India's Covid-19 count surged to 56,46,011 on Wednesday, after reporting a spike of 83,347 new cases and 1,085 deaths in the last 24 hours, according to the Union health ministry.