Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, 16 July interacted with chief ministers of six states – Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Odisha, and Maharashtra.
Stressing on maximum vaccination, PM Modi said that importance must be given to "test-track-treat-tika strategy" to combat COVID-19.
"Till last week, 80 percent of the total cases had come from the states that are present in this meeting today. Around 84% of the total deaths have also been recorded from these six states,” he said, adding that Maharashtra and Karnataka had seen a constant rise in the number of cases.
"The states reporting high new cases need to take proactive measures to stop the possibility of a third wave of COVID-19," he said.
"The central government has allocated a Rs 23,000-crore emergency response package to combat COVID-19. All states must use this fund to strengthen their healthcare infrastructure," Modi said.
He further said that special attention must be given by the states towards vaccination in the rural areas.
The meeting came just two days after Modi held a coversation with chief ministers of eight north-eastern states.
In his meeting on 16 July, Modi had expressed concerns over crowding at hill stations and markets and flouting of other COVID-19 protocols.
"Tourism and other businesses have been affected by the coronavirus, but I would stress upon this – people crowding at hill stations and markets without wearing masks is a matter of grave concern," Modi had said.
He had also said that rather than asking questions on the "peparedness" for the third wave, one must ask questions about its "prevention".
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