India / We have to immediately stop emerging second wave of Corona: PM Modi to CMs

New Delhi: Amid rise in COVID-19 cases in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said most of the COVID-affected countries in the world had to face several waves of coronavirus, and India too cases have suddenly started increasing in some states.

The CM also expressed concern over rising number of cases in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh saying test positivity rate in these two states are very high and number of cases also increasing.

"We will have to immediately stop the emerging second wave of Corona and for this, we will have to take quick and decisive steps," he added.

Prime Minister Modi in his video conference with the CMs further said that such an increase is being seen in many districts that had protected themselves so far and were kind of safe-zones.

"70 districts of the country have seen an increase of more than 150 per cent in last few weeks. If we don't stop it here, a situation of nationwide outbreak can come up," he added. 

The PM also expressed concern over low testing in some areas only.

"Why is there less vaccination in these areas? I think it's a time of test for good governance. Our confidence should not turn into overconfidence. Our success should not turn into negligence," he said. 

PM Modi’s last interaction with CMs was in January 2021, just before the vaccines were rolled out. At that time, he had announced that the Centre will bear all expenses of vaccinating nearly three crore healthcare and frontline workers during the first round of inoculation.

He had also suggested that public representatives, such as politicians, should not partake in the initial exercise.

The vaccination drive has now shifted gears and currently covers people who are above 60 years of age, and those aged above 45 years with comorbidities.

India on Monday recorded 26,291 fresh Covid-19 cases, the highest single-day spike in the past 85 days. As many as 24,492 new Covid cases were reported in the country on Tuesday, along with 131 more deaths.

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said that inappropriate behaviour towards the Covid-19 protocols is the reason behind this sudden spike in coronavirus cases.

Maharashtra on Tuesday reported 17,864 new coronavirus cases in a single day, the highest one-day rise for the state in 2021. The last time the western Indian state had recorded 17,000-plus cases in one day was back in September 2020.