'Be Satark', Ramp Up Testing & Tracing: PM Modi After Review Meet Amid Omicron Scare | Key Points

The meeting comes at a time when India is witnessing yet another surge in daily cases of Coronavirus fueled by the new Covid variant Omicron, which was first found in South Africa.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during Covid review meeting. (Image: ANI)

New Delhi: Amid the ongoing threat of Omicron across the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday chaired a high-level review meeting to check preparedness against a possible outbreak of yet another wave of Covid-19.

During the meeting, PM Modi took stock of the pandemic situation across the country in a high-level meeting attended by senior officials and experts including VK Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog, AK Bhalla, Home Secretary, Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary and others.

Reviewed the COVID-19 situation across India, particularly in the wake of Omicron. Our focus is on further ramping up health infra, testing, tracing and ensuring full vaccination coverage. https://t.co/mbx44TLKcU

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 23, 2021

"In view of new variant of Omicron, we should be 'satark' (vigilant) and 'saavdhan' (cautious)," PM Modi said during the meeting.

The Prime Minister also said that the focus should be on prompt, effective contact tracing, ramping up testing, accelerating vaccination and boosting health infrastructure.

PM Modi Chairs Covid Review Meet | Key Points

• "We should be 'satark' (vigilant) and 'saavdhan' (cautious)," PM Modi told officials adding that fight against the pandemic is not over yet and asserted that the need for continued adherence to Covid safe behaviour is of paramount importance even today.
• The meeting was held to review public health response measures for management of Covid-19 and strengthening of health infrastructure including availability of drugs, oxygen cylinders and concentrators, ventilators, PSA plants, ICU/oxygen supported beds, human resources and vaccination.
• The details of the Omicron cases reported in the country, including their travel history, vaccination status, and recovered status were presented before the PM in the meeting.
• The Prime Minister was also briefed on the updated travel guidelines for foreign passengers, review meetings with states/union territories, vaccination status, installation of oxygen supply equipment, etc.
• After the meeting, Prime Minister Modi directed the officials to maintain a high level of vigil and alertness at all levels.

The meeting comes at a time when India is witnessing yet another surge in daily cases of Coronavirus fueled by the new Covid variant Omicron, which was first found in South Africa.

So far, India has recorded close to 300 cases of the Omicron variant of coronavirus across 16 states and Union Territories (UTs) so far, out of which around 104 people have recovered or migrated.

Fresh Omicron Cases In Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala & Gujarat

23 more patients have been found to be infected by Omicron in Maharashtra. A total of 88 patients infected with the new Covid variant have been reported in the state so far.

12 new cases of Omicron variant of the novel coronavirus were recorded in Karnataka, taking its tally in the state to 31. Out of the 12, seven of them are female, including two girls aged nine and 11 years old.

"12 new cases of Omicron have been confirmed in Karnataka today taking the tally to 31," Karnataka Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar said, adding, ten are from Bengaluru while one each is from Mysuru and Mangaluru.

Meanwhile, five fresh Omicron cases were also reported in Kerala in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of infected to 29. As many as four people, who have reached Ernakulam, and a native of Kozhikode district have been detected with the virus.

Even Gujarat reported 7 more cases of the Omicron variant of coronavirus, taking total cases of the variant in the state to 30. Out of the 30, 25 cases are active at the moment.

Centre's Guidelines For States/UTs

Earlier in the day, Centre advised all five poll-bound states to ramp up Covid vaccination exponentially to protect the vulnerable population given the steady rise in cases of the Omicron variant of coronavirus in India.

The government also cautioned that areas with low vaccination coverage and those with low Covid-19 exposure may be more vulnerable to the new Omicron variant, urged states to accord special attention to ramp up inoculation in these pockets.

Meanwhile, all states and Union Territories (UTs) have been advised to be vigilant and monitor case positivity, doubling rate and cluster of new cases and consider imposing curbs and restrictions at the local level ahead of Christmas and New Year.