PM Modi to review Covid-19 situation with CMs of northeastern states tomorrow

Last week, Union cabinet secretary Rajiv Guaba chaired a meeting to take stock the Covid-19 situation in the northeastern states.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to review the situation pertaining to coronavirus disease (Covid-19) with the chief ministers of the northeastern states at 11am on Tuesday, sources close to development said on Monday.

As many as 45 of the 73 districts that reported over 10% positivity rate in the country over the last one week were from the northeastern region. (File photo)

PM Modi's proposed meeting follows Union cabinet secretary Rajiv Gauba's interaction with the officials of the northeastern states' home department last Wednesday amid concerns over rising cases of coronavirus infection in the region.

Earlier this month, the Centre deployed multi-disciplinary expert teams to six states, including Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, after they showed a spurt in Covid-19 cases.

Union health and family welfare ministry said around 80% of the Covid-19 cases in India at the moment are being witnessed from 90 districts and as many as 14 of them are from the northeast.

During the review meeting last week, it was found that of the 73 districts in the country with case positivity rates above 10%, as many as 46 belonged to the northeastern states, prompting the Centre to put its focus on the region.

Other northeastern states, such as Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya and Nagaland, too, have been reporting high positivity rate.