Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday met via videoconference chief ministers of states that have been worst affected by COVID-19 in recent weeks.
Modi discussed the spike in COVID-19 cases and countermeasures. The leaders attending the meeting included Home Minister Amit Shah, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.
Kejriwal blames pollution
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal attributed the severity of the "third wave" of COVID-19 in Delhi to many factors, with pollution being an important one.
Kejriwal told the prime minister that Delhi saw the peak of 8,600 coronavirus cases on November 10 during the third wave and since then, the number of cases as well as the positivity rate are steadily decreasing, PTI reported.
Kejriwal sought Modi's intervention to get rid of the "pollution caused by stubble burning in adjoining states, especially in view of the recent bio-decomposer technique".
Kejriwal also sought the reservation of additional 1,000 ICU beds in the Central government hospitals in Delhi for coronavirus patients till the third wave of the infection lasts in the city.
Mamata exudes confidence
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee informed Modi the COVID-19 situation in West Bengal was "under control".
She apprised Modi about the discharge rate among the COVID-19 patients in the state and informed him that the number of new infections is on the decline.
Maharashtra vaccine task force
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray told Modi his government had formed a task force to manage distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.
"A task force has been set up to manage the distribution and vaccination in Maharashtra and the government is in constant touch with Adar Poonawalla of the Serum Institute of India to track development of the coronavirus vaccine," a Maharashtra government statement said, quoting Thackeray.
