Covid-19: Reassess if lockdowns of one or two days are effective, PM Modi tells CMs

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday chaired a high-level virtual meeting with Chief Ministers and Health Ministers of seven COVID-19 high burden States/UTs to review COVID response and management.

These states are Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Delhi and Punjab, officials said, noting that more than 63% of the active cases in the country are concentrated in these seven states.

The virtual meeting, also attended by health ministers of these states, began in the evening.

"There are more than 700 districts in the country but only 60 districts in 7 states are a cause of worry. I suggest CMs to hold virtual conference with people at district/block level for 7 days. We've to learn from the best practices from across the states," said PM in meeting with CMs.

PM Modi also asked states to reassess if lockdowns of one or two days are effective in containing Covid-19 and told them to press on with full strength in opening economic activities while fighting the virus.

Modi also said that "micro containment zones" should be the way forward as it will curb the infection spread and also allow activities to go on.

We should enhance focus on effective testing, tracing, treatment, surveillance and clear messaging, the prime minister said during the meeting.

"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," he added.

These states also account for 65.5% of the total confirmed cases and 77% of the total deaths, a statement had said earlier.

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 rise. It might raise doubts in the minds of the people that testing is bad. Some people also make mistake of underestimating the severity of infection."

Along with the other five states, Punjab and Delhi have reported an increase in the number of cases being reported recently, they said, adding that Maharashtra, Punjab and Delhi are also reporting high mortality with more than two per cent case fatality rate (CFR).

During the meet, Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh urged PM Modi to direct urgent steps to ensure adequate supplies from other states and also sought expeditious release of ₹200 crore that state govt had requested as next tranche of central aid for Covid management, said Punjab CMO.

Other than Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, the case positivity rate of these states has also been observed to be above the national average of 8.52%.

Apart from that, Prime Minister also 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," said Prime Minister Modi.

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."

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

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

Meanwhile, India's total tests for detection of the coronavirus pandemic has crossed the 6.6 crore-mark. The Covid-19 tests per million rose to 48,028 as on date with the national cumulative positivity rate being recorded at 8.52%, the Union health ministry said on Wednesday.

India's testing capacity has surged to over 12 lakh tests daily. Till September 22, at least 6,62,79,462 samples have been tested across India with 9,53,683 samples being tested on 22 September.

The country's tally today crossed 56 lakh cases after a spike of 83,347 new Covid-19 infections were reported in the last 24 hours.