Amid a spike in India’s COVID cases triggered by the Omicron variant, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a review meeting with all the states’ Chief Ministers over the situation.
The PM emphasised the need for local containment to arrest the spread of COVID-.
“While making any strategy, it is very important to keep in mind that there should be minimal damage to the livelihood of the common people, economic activities, the momentum of the economy should be maintained," said the PM.
Further, speaking about the new Omicron variant, he said that the initial skepticism about Omicron slowly getting cleared. “The new strain Omicron is infecting people several times faster than previous ones," said PM Modi.
In view of this, Modi said we need to be alert and careful, but also have to ensure that there is no panic situation.
“We have to see that in this festive season, the alertness of the people and the administration does not fall short," he said.
“The way the central and state governments had earlier adopted pre-emptive, pro-active and collective approach, the same is the mantra of victory this time as well," he added.
Talking about India's vaccination drive, the PM said that inoculation is the biggest weapon against the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It is a matter of pride for every Indian that today India has given the first dose to about 92% of the adult population. The coverage of the second dose has also reached around 70% in the country," he said.
The meeting took place at a time when India is inching closer to 250,000 daily infections in the new COVID wave largely driven by the highly contagious Omicron variant.
The rapid surge in cases has prompted the authorities to impose fresh restrictions, including night curfew and ban on large gatherings.
The interaction, held via video conferencing, is the first between the PM and state CMs this year.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah and health minister Mansukh Mandaviya also attended the meeting.
