New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting to review the status of Covid-19 and Omicron, the new variant of concern (VOC), public health response measures for containment and management of Coronavirus, strengthening of health infrastructure including availability of drugs, oxygen cylinders and concentrators, ventilators, PSA plants, ICU and oxygen supported beds, human resources, IT interventions and status of vaccination.
According to an official statement, the PM was briefed about the emerging scenario globally driven by the new variant, with an overview of surge in cases in countries having high vaccination coverage and presence of omicron variant. He was also apprised of the technical brief and priority actions recommended by the WHO in the context of omicron. A snapshot of the status of Covid-19 and omicron in the country, including States reporting a higher number of cases, districts reporting higher positivity, and higher number of clusters was presented to the PM.
After the presentation by officials, the PM directed the officials to maintain a high level of vigil and alertness at all levels. He directed the Centre to work in close coordination with the States to support their efforts of public health measures of containment and management under the ‘Whole of Government’ approach. The strategy of the Centre for proactive, focussed, collaborative and cooperative fight against the pandemic should guide all our future actions, the PM directed the officials.
He directed the officials to ensure that the health systems in the states, beginning from the district level, are strengthened to meet any challenge posed by the new variant. It is important for States to ensure that the Oxygen supply equipment are installed and fully functional, he instructed the officials. He directed the officials to work with the states on a regular basis and review the status of preparedness of various components of health infrastructure including training and capacity building of human resources, timely availability of ambulances, and readiness of states to operationalise Covid-19 facilities for institutional quarantining.
The PM was apprised of the progress in vaccination across the country. He was apprised that more than 88 per cent of the eligible population is administered the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine and more than 60 per cent of the eligible population has received the second dose. Officials briefed PM that the door-to-door Har Ghar Dastak vaccination campaign to mobilize and vaccinate people has been able to motivate people to take the Covid-19 vaccine, and has shown encouraging results in boosting vaccine coverage. /BI/
