PM reviews Covid-19 situation with CMs, representatives of 7 states with high case load

The Centre on Wednesday permitted the State governments to spend up to 50% of the State Disaster Relief Fund to fight Covid-19 as the epidemic gallops through the country infecting nearly a lakh and killing more than 1,000 individuals daily.

This was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a high-level review of the Covid-19 situation with the Chief Ministers of seven states including Karnataka that account for 77% of India’s Covid-19 deaths and 65% of cases.

Other states that participated in the review are Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Delhi and Punjab.

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On the lockdown, the Prime Minister said that while the initial closure was useful, the states should now introspect on how a short term lockdown of one-two days is impacting the states’ economy and finance. “The current focus should be on micro containment zones and resumption of normal life,” he said.

Ahead of the festival seasons, Modi suggested that the administration must stress on wearing face masks as infections were increasing. “Masks are very important and we have to make it (wearing a mask) a habit. It would be essential in our daily lives,” he said.

A day before, Vinod Paul, Member (Health) NITI Ayog too underscored the importance of masks particularly during the upcoming festivals when public gatherings would happen. “Wearing masks would have to be made universal. This social vaccine would prevent us until a vaccine against Covid-19 is available,” he said.

Coronavirus India update: State-wise total number of confirmed cases, deaths on September 23

As 60 districts in seven states emerge as the Covid-19 hotbeds, Modi suggested that the Chief Ministers should talk to the district administration on improving the response at the district level. He also assured the states on the availability of oxygen and noted that the inter-state movement of oxygen and medical supplies must continue.

The review takes place on a day when India’s Covid-19 toll crossed the 90,000-mark. The toll stood at 90020, out of which 1085 were added in the last 24 hours. More than 83,000 new cases were added in the same period as the number of active cases stands at 9.68 lakhs.