‘Utilise entire national capacity for vaccine production’: PM Modi reviews Covid situation

In a review meeting with the top officials, PM Modi said India defeated the virus last year and it can do it again with the same principles but "faster speed and coordination".

The prime minister has been holding meetings with chief ministers and officials on a regular basis to discuss the situation and take measures to curb the pandemic. (PTI)

Taking stock of the second coronavirus wave in the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday said there is no substitute for “testing, tracking and treatment” and called for utilisation of “entire national capacity” to ramp up vaccine production.

In a review meeting with top officials, PM Modi said India defeated the virus last year and it can do it again with the same principles but “faster speed and coordination”.

“Various aspects relating to medicines, oxygen, ventilators, vaccination discussed at PM’s review meet over COVID-19 situation,” PTI quoted the government as saying.

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On the shortage of hospital beds and oxygen cylinders reported from different states, the PM said all necessary measures must be taken to make available the hospital beds for Covid patients and speeding up the installation of approved medical oxygen plants.

PM Modi also asked the local administrations to be proactive and sensitive towards people’s concerns.

“Close coordination with states must be ensured in handling Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.

The meeting comes amid a huge surge in Covid-19 cases across the country with reports pouring in from many states about the shortage of hospital facilities and essentials like oxygen supply.

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A record single-day rise of 2,34,692 cases and 1,341 fatalities have pushed India’s Covid-19 tally to 1,45,26,609 and the death toll due to the viral disease to 1,75,649, the health ministry said earlier on Saturday.

The number of active coronavirus cases in the country has also surpassed the 16-lakh mark, the ministry’s data updated at 8 am showed.

(With inputs from PTI)

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