PM may meet CMs to review Covid situation amid surge
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to hold a meeting with chief ministers over the Covid-19 situation on Thursday as the number of virus infections sees a surge due to its Omicron variant. Fresh curbs have been imposed in various parts of the country to check the spread of the highly transmissible virus. Reviewing the Covid situation at a highlevel meeting on Sunday, Modi had called for ensuring adequate health infrastructure at the district level and accelerating the vaccination drive for adolescents in mission mode.
The precaution vaccination drive for healthcare and frontline workers besides those over 60 years of age with comorbidities has also started. Vaccination remains among the most effective means to fight Covid, Modi had said.
The prime minister has held numerous meetings with chief ministers to spearhead India’s response to the disease since its outbreak in 2020.
India on Tuesday reported 168,063 fresh Covid-19 infections. The massive single-day hike took the total tally oto 35,875,790, while the active cases increased to 821,446 -- the highest in around 208 day according to the Union Health Ministry data.
Mandaviya on Monday had virtually interacted with state health ministers, top bureaucrats, and information commissioners of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Goa, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu to review the public health preparedness to contain the spread of COVID-19 and progress of national vaccination campaign.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, meanwhile, on Tuesday stated that more than 156.71 crore Covid-19 vaccine doses have been supplied to States and Union Territories so far through the Centre’s free of cost channel and through direct state procurement category.
“1,56,71,24,055 vaccine doses have been provided to States/ UTs so far through the Government of India (free of cost channel) and through direct state procurement category,” the Ministry informed.
There are 17,11,31,206 balance and unutilized Covid vaccine doses still available with the States/UTs to be administered, the ministry said.
“As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, Centre has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them Covid Vaccines free of cost. In the new phase of the universalization of the Covid-19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply (free of cost) 75 per cent of the vaccines being produced by the vaccine manufacturers in the country to States and UTs,” the ministry said.
Necessary arrangements being made for Budget session: LS Speaker
Amid a growing number of Covid cases in the country, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday said necessary arrangements for the upcoming Budget session of Parliament are being made to enable members of Parliament perform their constitutional responsibilities.
He also asserted that the “situation is under control” and all steps are being taken to mitigate the impact of the pandemic.
According to a statement issued by the Lok Sabha Secretariat, Birla inspected the Parliament House complex during the day to take stock of the health safety related measures and other preparations put in place in light of the recent spike in Covid cases in the country.
Birla visited the Covid testing facility set up in Parliament House Annexe for the MPs, officers and staff of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha secretariats and reviewed the preparations there. He also reviewed the testing and medical facilities at the Parliament House complex.