New Delhi | Jagran News Desk: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday interacted via video conferencing with chief ministers of states that are witnessing a surge in coronavirus cases to review the COVID-19 situation. The leaders attending the meeting include Home Minister Amit Shah, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.
The prime minister, till now, has held several virtual meetings with states over the coronavirus situation. While the national daily COVID-19 case count has remained below 50,000 for some time, several urban centres have witnessed a surge, resulting in enforcement of several measures, including curfews in some cities. Later in the day, the prime minister will also hold a virtual meeting with chief ministers and other representatives of states and union territories via virtual conference.
Here are the Highlights from PM Modi's meet with the chief ministers:
3:40 pm: Today's meeting with PM was on COVID19 vaccine and preparations to be made for vaccination of citizens. PM has invited suggestions from all States on this. We're waiting for the vaccine to be made available so that we can begin administering it: Chhattisgarh Minister TS Singh Deo
3:32 pm: It's yet not decided which vaccine will cost how much. Though 2 India-based vaccines are at the forefront, we're working with global firms also. Even after drugs being available for years, some people have adverse reactions. So a decision needs to be taken on a scientific basis: PM
3:26 pm: We are ready with cold chain storage facilities for the vaccine. Training of healthcare workers who'll administer vaccine is underway. As soon as we get the vaccine, vaccination will be started. Appeal to people to continue following all COVID19 guidelines: MP CM SS Chouhan
3:22 pm: This mission of Coronavirus vaccination of each citizen is like a national commitment. Each State and stakeholder has to work as a team to ensure that this mission is systematic, smooth and a sustained effort: PM Modi during a virtual meeting with CMs on COVID19
3:18 pm: I urge states to send detailed plans soon on how they plan to take vaccine to lowest levels. It'll help us in making decisions as your experiences are valuable. I hope for your pro-active participation. Vaccine work is ongoing but I request you there should be no carelessness: PM
3:15 pm: The States are required to establish cold storage facilities for COVID19 vaccine: PM Modi during a virtual meeting with CMs on COVID19
3:10 pm: It is not certain whether there will be one, two or three doses of a vaccine. It is also not decided what will be the price of the vaccine. We still don't have answers to these questions: PM Modi during interaction with CM's on COVID19 situation
3:05 pm: Government of India is keeping a track of each development in vaccine development. We are in touch with Indian vaccine developers and manufacturers. We are also in touch with global regulators, governments of other countries, multinational orgs & international companies: PM
3:00 pm: Seeing good recovery rates, many think the virus is weak & they'll recover soon, this has led to rampant carelessness... Those working on vaccine are doing it but we need to focus on ensuring that people are alert & transmission is curbed. We've to bring positivity rate under 5%: PM
2:55 pm: As a result of joint efforts, today India is in a better situation than other countries when it comes to recovery and fatality rates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi in virtual meeting with CMs
2:50 pm: There is also a focus on making oxygen and ventilators available. We are trying to make the medical colleges and district hospitals self-sufficient in oxygen generation. Efforts underway to establish more than 160 oxygen generation plants in the country: PM Modi
2:45 pm: PM made it clear that in the first stage the vaccine will be given to the frontline health workers, in the second stage to the police personnel, sanitation workers etc, to those above 50 yrs of age in the third stage & to those with comorbid conditions in the fourth stage: Gujarat CM
2:30 pm: In the second phase vaccine will be given to essential service providers and then there will two phases in which there will be age-wise distribution: Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar
2:20 pm: We have been told to make a strategy to make the vaccine available to the general public. As it is not possible to give the vaccine to all at once. In the first phase, the vaccine will be provided to health care personnel & people who need it the most: Haryana CM after virtual meeting with PM Modi
2:00 pm: We are ready to work with Central and all other stakeholders to ensure speedy and universal vaccination for everyone as soon as the vaccine is available: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee
12:40 pm: Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray informed PM Narendra Modi that he is in constant touch with Adar Poonawalla of Serum Institute and that the state has formed a task force to ensure timely distribution of vaccine and executing the vaccination programme: Maharashtra CMO
11:30 am: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal informed PM Modi that Delhi saw a peak of 8600 #COVID19 cases on 10 November in the third peak. Since then cases & positivity rate are steadily decreasing. The high severity of the third wave is due to many factors including pollution: Chief Minister's Office
11:20 am: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal sought PM’s intervention to get rid of pollution due to stubble burning from adjoining states especially in view of recent bio decomposer. CM sought reservation of additional 1000 ICU beds in central govt hospitals till third wave lasts: CMO
11:10 am: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, West Bengal are among the 8 states chief ministers of which are meeting PM Modi, Home Minister Amit Sha to discuss coronavirus situation in their respective states.
11:00 am: Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel is attending the meeting with PM Narendra Modi & other chief ministers over #COVID19 situation. Home Minister Amit Shah also participating.
10:30 am: In the second round of meeting, the prime minister is expected to discuss the strategy to distribute the coronavirus vaccines across the country, as four vaccine candidates in India are in either the second or the third phase of clinical trials. The Centre is preparing on a war footing the vaccine delivery system as the coronavirus cases in the country breached nine million mark.
10:15 am: While the national daily coronavirus cases have remained below 50,000 for last 16 days, the urban cities including Delhi, Gurugram, Kolkata have witnessed a surge in new cases resulting in restrictions like night curfews and closing of markets. PM Modi is also expected to discuss with the states the cause for a surge in daily Covid numbers and the countermeasures planned to stem virus growth.
10:00 am: The prime minister is likely to discuss two different trends in the COVID-19 spread, in the first round of the meeting with the chief ministers of worst-hit states.
The Prime Minister has held several meetings with representatives of states and UTs since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic where he has discussed India's response to the crisis and the country's vaccine distribution strategy.
According to the latest data, after a spike of 37,975 new cases during the last 24 hours, India's COVID-19 tally reached 91,77,841. The death toll in the country also mounted to 1,34,218 after 480 new deaths were reported in the country during the last 24 hours.