Omicron spread: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday directed intensive containment and active surveillance in clusters reporting high COVID cases due to Omicron. Today, he chaired a high-level meeting to assess the pandemic situation in the country, the ongoing preparedness of health infrastructure and logistics, the status of vaccination, the emergence of new types of omicrons and its public health impacts.
A detailed presentation was made by Secretary Health highlighting the increase in cases currently being reported globally. Subsequently, the COVID situation in India has caused concern to various states and districts, based on reports of a surge in cases and high positivity.
Support was presented to the States for upgradation of health infrastructure, testing capacity, availability of oxygen, ICU beds and buffer stock of COVID essential medicines under Emergency COVID Response Package (ECRP-II).
The PM stressed on the need to ensure adequate health infrastructure at the district level. He asked the officials to maintain coordination with the states in this regard.
The presentation noted India’s continued efforts towards the vaccination campaign, in which 31% of adolescents aged 15-18 years have been given the first dose within 7 days so far. PM Modi noted this achievement and urged to further intensify the vaccine campaign for adolescents in mission mode.
After detailed discussions, PM Modi directed that intensive containment and active surveillance should continue in clusters reporting high cases and necessary technical assistance should be provided to the states which are currently reporting high cases.
He highlighted the need to ensure effective use of masks and physical distancing measures as a new normal to control the spread. The Prime Minister stressed the need for effective implementation of home isolation for mild/asymptomatic cases and dissemination of factual information to the community at large.
He said that a meeting be convened with the CMs to discuss state-specific scenarios, best practices and public health response.
Expressing his gratitude for the tireless services rendered by the health workers in the management of COVID-19 so far, he suggested to ensure that the immunization coverage through precautionary doses for the health workers, frontline workers is also extended to the Mission. mode should be taken.
The PM also spoke about the importance of continued scientific research into tests, vaccines and pharmacological interventions, including genome sequencing, given that the virus is constantly evolving.
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