PM Narendra Modi to Chief Ministers: Stop the emerging second wave of COVID-19, don't bring public into panic

New Delhi: Amid rising COVID-19 cases in some parts of the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday called a meeting with Chief Ministers.

In a review meeting with CMs, PM Modi said, “We don't have to bring the public into panic mode. We don't have to bring a situation where there is an atmosphere of fear. We have to free the people off difficulties by taking some precautions and initiatives.” “It is a matter of contemplation that why is there less testing in some areas only. Why is there less vaccination in these areas? I think it's a time of test for good governance...Our confidence should not turn into overconfidence. Our success should not turn into negligence,” he added.

PM Modi also said, “Most of the COVID-affected countries in world had to face several waves of COVID-19. In our country too, cases have suddenly started increasing in some states. CMs have also expressed concern. Test positivity rate in Maharashtra and MP is very high and number of cases also rising.”

He further stated, “We will have to immediately stop the emerging second wave of COVID-19 and for this, we will have to take quick and decisive steps. It has now become necessary for us to become pro-active. The option of making micro-containment zones wherever necessary, we should not bring leniency.”

PM Modi held a video conference to discuss the issues with CMs, an exercise which he has been doing regularly since the outbreak of the COVID-19.

On Tuesday, India reported 28,903 COVID-19 cases, of which 17,864 cases were from Maharashtra. The surge in new cases has pushed India's total behind the US and Brazil. At least 188 fatalities were reported on Tuesday, with Maharashtra reporting 87 casualties and Punjab reporting 38 causalities. The number of active cases in the country has increased to more than 2.34 lakh.