A high-level meeting to examine the COVID-19 situation in the nation was presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday. He warned against complacency and emphasised the importance of testing and upgrading the surveillance systems, particularly at international airports.
He emphasised always acting in a COVID-appropriate manner, particularly in light of the forthcoming holiday season, which includes donning masks in busy public spaces. Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya informed the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha about the steps the government is taking to address potential difficulties amid worries over the surge in cases in some nations.
He said that due to the recent rise in coronavirus infections in nations including China, Japan, South Korea, France, and the United States, the government has begun random RT-PCR screening among travellers arriving at international airports in the nation.
Both the Speaker of the Lok Sabha and the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha mentioned the COVID-19 situation in several nations and asked members to use masks. Cases in China are being driven by the BF.7 Omicron version.
Arvind Kejriwal, the chief minister of Delhi, presided over a high-level review meeting on Thursday to evaluate the COVID situation and gauge the amount of government readiness.
The health infrastructure’s readiness, the appearance of novel varieties, and their implications for public health were all evaluated by the prime minister.
He urged personnel to maintain rigorous vigilance and reminded them that COVID is still active, particularly at international airports.
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 global Covid-19 issue, 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 recommended careful vigilance and warned against complacency. He emphasised that COVID is still in effect and gave officials instructions to step up continuous surveillance, particularly at international airports “a PMO statement read.
The Prime Minister emphasised the importance of maintaining the COVID infrastructure at all levels at a high level of readiness in terms of tools, procedures, and personnel.
He suggested that States evaluate COVID-specific facilities to make sure that the hospital infrastructure, including as oxygen cylinders, PSA plants, ventilators, and human resources, is operationally ready.
PM Modi gave instructions to officials to step up testing and genome sequencing initiatives. The designated INSACOG Genome Sequencing Laboratories (lGSLs), which perform daily genome sequencing, have requested that states share more samples with them.
According to the statement, this will aid 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 act in a manner that is consistent with Covid, including donning masks in busy public areas, especially in light of the impending holiday season.
The preventive dose may be recommended, especially for vulnerable and elderly individuals, PM Modi further urged.
The availability of medications, vaccines, 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 carry on in the same selfless and devoted way.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia, Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar, and Minister of Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur were among those present at the meeting.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India is monitoring the Covid situation in China.
“We are monitoring the Covid circumstance in China. As the global pharmacy, we have always assisted other nations “Arindam Bagchi, a spokesperson for the MEA, stated during a weekly press conference.
According to Mandaviya, the administration is committed to combating the pandemic.
“Additionally, we have begun randomly selecting individuals arriving at international airports across the nation. We are taking the necessary measures to combat the epidemic and are dedicated to doing so “During the Christmas and New Year seasons, he advised the States to ensure that people wear masks, use hand sanitizer, and maintain social distancing.
“We are monitoring the state of Covid globally and acting accordingly. It is suggested that the States boost genome sequencing to quickly discover the new Covid-19 variant “Mandaviya continued.
He claimed that 220 crore COVID vaccinations have been administered. “Covid cases have been increasing globally over the past few days, although they are declining in India. In China, the number of Covid cases and related mortality is on the rise “said he.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has decided to mandate COVID-19 testing for 2% of all passengers upon arrival at the airport.
A COVID review meeting was also held in Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Uttarakhand in addition to Delhi.
Following a meeting on Thursday, the Karnataka government said that it has decided to require face masks in all enclosed locations, including those that are not air-conditioned.
“Masks will be required in enclosed, air-conditioned spaces, per an advise that will be issued. Passengers travelling from abroad would be randomly tested and screened at international airports in accordance with Union government norms “K Sudhakar, the health minister for Karnataka, stated.
Yogi Adityanath, the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, examined the COVID situation there.
According to Kerala’s Health Minister Veena George, a state-wide alert has been issued as a result of the rising number of COVID-19 cases in some nations.
She reassured residents that there is nothing to worry about in the state and asked them to exercise caution and take safety measures. She claimed that districts have been urged to step up their surveillance.
No cases of the BF.7 type have been reported in Delhi as of yet, according to Kejriwal, but the AAP government is well prepared to handle any eventuality.
“BF.7, no instance of BF, is the most widely used form of Corona in China nowadays.
Testing has so far turned up 7 variants in Delhi. We have the capacity to test up to one lakh persons every day if necessary. We currently have 8,000 beds set aside for coronavirus patients. 25000 beds were available at the time of the previous peak; currently, 36000 beds are planned,” he said.
“We currently have 15 oxygen tankers, 6,000 reserve oxygen cylinders, and a 928 metric tonne storage capacity. Nearly all residents of Delhi have received their first and second doses, but only 24% have received their precautionary dose “Added he.
Kejriwal encouraged Delhi residents to receive their precautionary dose as soon as possible.
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) issued a warning and urged the public to start acting in a COVID-appropriate manner right away.
The IMA outlined the essential precautions in its warning, including the use of face masks in all public settings, preserving social distance, and routine hand washing with soap and water or sanitizers.
