Omicron Scare: PM Modi Calls For Caution, Asks States To Be ‘Satark’ & ‘Saavdhan’

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked the Centre to work in close coordination with states and support their efforts of public health measures towards containment and management of COVID-19 and Omicron, the new variant of concern, under the ‘Whole of Government’ approach.

Chairing a meeting to review the pandemic situation arising out of Omicron, the new variant of concern, Modi directed the officials to remain highly alert and vigilant at all levels.

In a government release on the meeting, the Prime Minister said the strategy of the Centre for proactive, focussed, collaborative and cooperative fight against the pandemic should guide “all our future actions”.

“In view of the new variant, we should be ‘satark’ (alert) and ‘saavdhan’ (take precaution),” the PM added.

The fight against the pandemic is not over, he said, stressing the need for continued adherence to COVID-appropriate behaviour.

Further, Modi directed the officials to ensure that health systems in the states, beginning from the district level, are strengthened to meet any challenge posed by Omicron variant.

He stressed on keeping the oxygen supply equipment fully functional and directed the officials to work with the state authorities on a regular basis and review the status of preparedness of various components of health infrastructure.

Modi also directed officials for effective use of tech tools for tele-medicine and tele-consultation.

The country saw a significant rise in the daily Covid-19 tally with 7,495 new cases being reported in the last 24 hours. The cumulative count of Omicron cases also neared 300 with a number of infections from the new strain being detected from across states.