PM to meet with chief ministers, officials to review India's Covid situation

Covid in India: Prime minister Narendra Modi has held several meetings with chief ministers and officials since the pandemic hit to keep informed about the course of the disease in the country.

Updated on: Apr 27, 2022, 11:15:55 IST

By HT News Desk | Edited by Chandrashekar Srinivasan

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Prime minister Narendra Modi will hold a video conference with chief ministers at noon to review the Covid-19 situation in India. Home minister Amit Shah and health minister Mansukh Mandaviya will attend, news agency ANI reported, and health secretary Rajesh Bhushan will make a presentation. The meeting comes amid a worrying uptick in daily Covid cases - this morning there were nearly 3,000 cases in 24 hours, an increase of 17 per cent from Tuesday.

PM Modi’s focus on self-reliance in the defence sector must be commended. But for this to happen, the domestic ecosystem must be receptive to foreign investment and tech transfers (ANI) (HT_PRINT)

Among the topics likely to be discussed are the status of the vaccination drive (with focus on precautionary doses) and states reporting high Covid cases.

The prime minister has held several meetings with chief ministers and government officials since the pandemic hit the country in 2020, to keep informed about the course of the disease in the country.

On Sunday, during his 'mann ki baat' address to the nation, the prime minister urged people to stay alert and follow Covid safety protocols, particularly during festive seasons. He reminded people to wear masks when in public or crowded spaces and regularly sanitise their hands to keep Covid at bay.

Daily cases have seen an increase in states and major cities; on Tuesday Gurgaon reported over 400 in 24 hours for the first time since February and Mumbai reported over 100 in a day for the first time since March 1. Delhi reported over 1,200 on Tuesday - the fifth consecutive day with 1,000+ cases.

Earlier this week the Drugs Controller General of India approved emergency use of two vaccines - Biological E's Corbevax and Bharat Biotech's Covaxin - for children under 12. This was hailed as a milestone move that paves the way for younger children to be vaccinated against the disease.

Covid cases continue to dominate global headlines with the spread of the omicron variant (and several sub-variants) driving numbers.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged all countries to maintain surveillance of coronavirus infections. The global health body said Tuesday the world was 'blind' to how the virus was spreading because of falling testing rates.

With input from ANI

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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