Omicron spreading rapidly, stay alert, avoid panic: PM Modi at Covid review meeting

New Delhi, Jan 13: Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a virtual Covid-19 review meeting with the Chief Ministers of all states and union territories on Thursday.

At the meeting, the PM said that the Omicron variant of Covid-19 is spreading rapidly as compared to other variants and there is a need to stay alert but also ensure that panic is not created.

"Compared to previous variants Omicron is rapidly spreading...it's more transmissible...Our health experts are assessing the situation. It's clear that we have to stay alert, but also ensure to avoid panic," the Prime Minister said during the virtual meeting with the Chief Ministers of the states over Covid-19 situation.

To contain the spread of the virus, the Prime Minister said the "pre-emptive, pro-active and collective approach" adopted by the central and state governments is the "mantra of victory" this time as well.

The Prime Minister had also chaired a meeting to review the COVID-19 situation in the country on January 9, through video conference. During that review meeting, PM Modi had stressed on the need to ensure adequate health infrastructure at the district level.

He had asked officials to maintain coordination regarding this with the states. In that meeting, he had said that a meeting with Chief Ministers will be convened to discuss state-specific scenarios, best-practices and the public health response. India has witnessed a surge in COVID-19 cases in the recent past.

According to the Union Health Minister, India on Wednesday reported 1,94,720 new COVID-19 cases and 442 fatalities. The daily positivity rate due to this virus in the country is 11.05 per cent. Active cases account for 2.65 per cent of the total cases.