Thread by @the_hindu

Just in | The presentation by the Health Secretary has clearly shown that a challenging situation is coming up again and it needs governance improvements: PM Modi says in an address to Chief Ministers. @nistula reports.

I know that the year-long fight has led to some tiredness but we need to remember that the country has crossed the peak levels of the first wave and doubling rates are also higher, Mr. Modi says, several states are showing grave trends of cases rising. #coronavirus

I request all States to rely on the experience they garnered through the last year. We didn’t have PPE kits, labs for testing, ventilators, so we had to develop capacity through a lockdown. Our concentration should be on a micro containment strategy, says Modi. @nistula reports.

I also request you to rename the night curfew as “Corona curfew”. It would be good to start this Corona curfew around 9 p.m. and end early morning. Please do concentrate on micro containment zone and we will gain from that, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says.

Last time we had brought down 10 lakh active cases to 1.25 lakh cases, we can do so again as we now have the experience. Test, track, treat and COVID-appropriate behaviour and management is the way to go forward, says Mr. Modi.

More than discussing vaccines we must stress on testing, We have an important way of containing the virus, that is to contain the human source - the host. We have to bring down the positivity rate under 5%. Our target is to have 70% as RT-PCR tests, says PM Modi. @nistula reports

I have heard that some samples are being taken in a lethargic, superficial way, that should be stopped. Labs need shift work. Containment zones should have testing for all living in it. For tracking, every contact should be tracked and traced: PM Modi.

Within 72 hours, 30 contacts should be traced. Containment zones should be defined. Large, undefined areas should not be made into containment zones. COVID fatigue should not be allowed to take over, says Prime Minister Narendra Modi. @nistula reports.

Mortality rates are also a cause of concern, we must make sure this must be as low as possible. We must have an analysis of the deaths: at what stage was the patient tested, what comorbidities he/she had. Ambulances, ventilators and oxygen availability should be checked: PM Modi.

On vaccination, Mr. Modi says, across the world, even rich countries have set criteria for vaccination and India has not done anything differently. New vaccines are being considered, manufacturing is also being looked at. Their stock is also being reviewed periodically.

PM Modi says: we have to stop vaccine wastage. The all India strategy on vaccination was done with the States on board. Try to get 100% result for above 45 years category, he appeals. Our purpose should be to vaccinate as many people as possible in the eligible category, he says.

I appeal to the youth to follow COVID SOPs. The digital outreach for vaccines should be smoothened by youth among people who have issues dealing with digital registration. Even after vaccine COVID SOPs should be followed, PM Modi says. @nistula reports.

The carelessness that has crept in about mask-wearing and social distancing has to be combated. We have to rope in all opinion-makers to reinforce this behaviour. Can States have all-party meetings called by the governor to design this campaign? PM Modi asks.

Summits, webinars etc should be held by state governors to reinforce COVID-appropriate behaviour. We have shifted from Covid SOPs to vaccines, and that is not good, we must do both. Dawai bhi, Kadai bhi (Both medicine and precaution) is the way: PM Modi says. @nistula reports.