Quick steps must to halt 2nd peak: PM

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, March 17

With India recording the highest daily Covid cases at 28,903 in the last 94 days, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said states and UTs must take “quick and decisive” steps to stop the emerging “second peak” of the pandemic.

Also read:

• Review strategy, vaccinate all in sensitive areas: CM to Centre
• Himachal plans curbs on visitors from Punjab

In a virtual interaction with chief ministers and L-Gs, the PM called for enhanced RT-PCR tests, besides ensuring Covid-appropriate behaviour, earmarking micro-containment zones and expanding the vaccination drive.

“Many hitherto unaffected districts are witnessing cases with some reporting over 150 per cent rise in two weeks. If we don’t stem the surge now, we can face a national outbreak,” cautioned the PM, urging states to ensure at least 70 per cent share of RT-PCR tests in the overall process and stop depending on rapid antigen tests.

Modi said India had succeeded in its fight against the pandemic because it kept the villages safe. “Now we see infections rising in tier 2 and 3 cities, which means the disease can reach our villages. We must take proactive steps to stop that and ensure people’s participation going forward,” the PM, said urging zero tolerance on vaccine wastage.

Meanwhile, the daily new cases soared to 28,903 after the lowest point of 9,121 on February 9. In two weeks, new cases rose by 43 per cent and daily deaths by 37 per cent with 70 districts across 16 states recording more than 150 per cent rise and 55 districts recording 100-150 per cent rise.

Five Punjab districts of concern which saw rapid surge from March 1-15 are Rupnagar (256 per cent rise), Amritsar (123 per cent), Moga (100 per cent), SBS Nagar (51 per cent) and Kapurthala (51 per cent).

In Haryana, eight districts are of concern — Yamunanagar (300 per cent rise), Karnal (245%), Panchkula (225%), Kaithal (180%), Kurukshetra (158%), Ambala (121%) and Gurugram (115%). In Himachal, rapid surge is seen in Sirmaur (367%), Solan (267%) and Una (220%).