New Delhi: Prime Minister NarendraModi Friday reiterated that Corona is not over and expressed deep concern over the pictures that are coming post lockdown. He emphasized the need to follow protocol and avoid crowding as many states in the meeting have metropolitan cities with dense populations. He also called upon political parties, social organizations, and NGOs to spread awareness among people.
He was speaking during an interaction with Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, Maharashtra and Kerala to discuss Covid related situation. union Home Minister, Amit Shah and union Health Minister were also present in the meeting.
The Prime Minister noted with concern the rise of number of cases in Europe, America and Bangladesh, Indonesia Thailand and many other countries. He said that this should alert us and the world simultaneously.During the meeting, the CMs of the States briefed the Prime Minister about the progress of vaccination and steps being taken to contain the spread of the virus in their states.
The Chief Ministers talked about the steps taken to boost medical infrastructure and gave suggestions on dealing with any possible rise of cases in the future. They also discussed post-Covid issues being faced by patients and steps being taken to provide assistance in such cases. They gave assurance that they are doing their best to control the surge of infection.
During the meeting, Amit Shah mentioned that these six states account for more than eighty percent of the total cases during the month of July, while some of these states have a very high test positivity rate as well. union Health Secretary discussed the Covid cases in the country and talked about the need to reinforce Covid's appropriate behaviour and containment measures in the districts with the high caseload. He also suggested that opening up of these districts should be done in a graded and calibrated manner.

In his closing remarks, the Prime Minister lauded the state governments for their mutual cooperation and learning in their fight against the pandemic. The Prime Minister said that all of us are at a point where apprehensions of the third wave are continuously expressed. Despite experts giving positive signals due to the downward trends increasing the number of cases in few states is still worrisome. The Prime Minister pointed out that during the last week 80 percent of cases, as well as 84 per cent unfortunate deaths, came from the states present in the meeting. Initially, experts believed that states, where the second wave originated, will see the normalization first. However, increasing numbers in Kerala and Maharashtra are a cause of grave worry, said the Prime Minister.