PM Modi to review Covid management in seven worst-hit states on Wednesday

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a high-level virtual meeting with the chief ministers and health ministers of seven Covid high burden states/UT on Wednesday to review the status and preparedness to manage the situation. Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Delhi and Punjab account for more than 63% of the active cases in the country.These seven states also account for 65.5% of the total confirmed cases and 77% of the total deaths. Along with the other five States, Punjab and Delhi have reported an increase in the number of cases being reported recently. As per the data, Maharashtra, Punjab and Delhi are reporting high mortality with more than 2.0% case fatality rate (CFR). Besides Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, their positivity rate is observed to be above the national average of 8.52%. These figures were shared by the Prime Minister’s Office in a statement while announcing the review meeting scheduled for Wednesday.The PMO states that the Centre has been leading the fight against Covid in the country in collaboration and close coordination with the states and UTs. “The union government is supporting them to ramp up healthcare and medical infrastructure. The clinical management capacities of the doctors manning the ICUs have been substantially upgraded through the e-ICU tele-consultation exercise undertaken by ministry of health and family welfare in collaboration with AIIMS,” it is shared.It is further pointed that high-level review with the states and UTs has ensured adequate availability of medical oxygen in the hospitals and Covid healthcare facilities.“The Centre is also regularly deputing multi-disciplinary teams to States/UTs to support and handhold them in matters of containment, surveillance, testing and efficient clinical management of the positive cases. The central teams also guide the local authorities in effectively managing the challenges related to timely diagnosis and needed follow up,” it is stated.