Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday had a meeting with field officials from states and districts about their experience in managing the coronavirus pandemic. He lauded the hard work and humane attitude with which the DMs of over 50 districts spread in 10 states with high covid caseloads are dedicated to improving the status of the districts. During a virtual meeting, Modi called the district officials "field commanders" and said that they are playing a very important role in the battle against the COVID crisis.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa also attended the virtual meeting where Union Home Minister Amit Shah was present.
"You all are playing a very important role in the battle against Corona. In a way, you are the field commanders of this battle," he said.
He underlined that the farming sector was not shut during the first wave, yet he was astonished to see how villagers were maintaining social distancing in the fields.
"Villages grasp the information and modify it according to their needs. This is the strength of villages," he said.
“In the battle against this virus, our weapons are local containment zones, aggressive testing and sending correct and complete information to the people," PM Modi added.
"Currently, there is a dip in the number of COVID19 cases in some states while an increase in others. As the cases are decreasing, we need to be more alert. I have been requesting in the meetings which were held in the last one year that our fight is to save every single life," he said.
PM Modi emphasised local containment zones and aggressive testing as India fights deadly COVID-19 second wave.
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He further added that continuous attempts are being made to increase the supply of COVID vaccines on a large scale. The Health Ministry is designing the system and vaccination process, while attempts are being made to give a schedule of the next 15 days to the states in advance, he stated.
"This will help you know that for many people in the district will the vaccine be made available and how do you have to prepare for that," he told the officials present in the meeting.
The Prime Minister stressed, "testing, tracking, treatment and Covid appropriate behaviour" are necessary to beat the virus.
"Testing, tracking, treatment and Covid appropriate behaviour, are necessary and there should be a continued emphasis on this. In this second wave of Corona, we still have to pay a lot of attention in rural and inaccessible areas," PM Modi added.
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The country needs to fight the myths connected with vaccination as it is a powerful weapon in the fight against COVID, the prime minister said, pointing that field officials are leading a great fight against the disease in various states and districts and many have shown excellent initiative and come out with imaginative solutions.