16 June 2020, 3:55 pm
Covid 19 : CM Interacts with PM Over Video Conference
This article has been preserved from The Voice Of Sikkim historical news collection and reflects information available at the time of its original publication.
Covid 19 : CM Interacts with PM Over Video Conference
Gangtok June 16 :(IPR) The Chief Minister Shri Prem Singh Tamang participated in a video conference called on by the Prime Minister with Chief Ministers of 21 States to discuss the situation emerging post-Unlock 1.0 and plans for combating the pandemic.
?A PowerPoint presentation was presented by Secretary, Ministry of Health on the impact of lockdown on COVID-19 outbreak and the way forward.
?The positive outcome of the lockdown was highlighted, duly giving credit to community participation, awareness, Jan Andolan initiated (behaviour change) which restricted the spread of the disease to a great extent. The continuous decline in the growth rate of cases and death rates in the country was also reflected.
Further, the current challenges were highlighted in view of the phased-wise unlocking considering that India is one of the most populated countries in the world. Checking the spread of the disease, new areas getting affected by the movement of people, rise of cases by 2 ? times in the last 14 days, 31 new districts from the North-East States reporting new cases, 59 districts in 8 States reporting a surge of COVID-19 positive cases are some of the growing challenges.
The presentation emphasized on continued focus on surveillance and containment, notifying containment zones, active house to house case finding, strict perimeter control, comprehensive contact tracking, adequate testing, community involvement for containment zone management, treatment of cases as per protocol, quarantine facilities in rural areas and appropriate behaviour, informed citizens, confident community, community awareness on social distancing, promoting homemade masks, Do Gaj ki Doori, frequent hand washing, respiratory hygiene and sanitation, emphasis on precautions for elderly and comorbid.
Thereafter the States provided feedback, suggestions and support for an effective plan for further phased unlocking in the country.
The Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi? reiterated that we need to realize that the fight is not over and hence be extra careful, alert and work in cooperation to combat the disease. He informed about trying to save every life and mentioned that the recovery rate is over 50% in the country.
He pressed on the need to focus on both life and livelihood, improving health infrastructure, testing and tracing as well as increasing economic activities. He expressed that timely decisions taken to combat the pandemic have been effective in containing its spread in the country.
The Prime Minister acknowledged the views and suggestions put forth by the States and thanked them for their continuous support in the fight against the pandemic which has been successful to a great extent as compared to other countries in the world.