by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group
GoM on Covid meets
No out-break in any cluster in the country
All Tablighi Jamaatis isolated,
No shortage of essentials, Rapid Covid Tests on way
Harish Gupta
New Delhi, April 3
Rising numbers of Covid-19 cases and its “super spreader” Tablighi Jamaat incident notwithstanding, the Centre expects that the situation is unlikely to take a turn for the worse.
The high-powered Group of Ministers (GoM) headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and comprising of Home Minister Amit Shah & 11 others held a marathon meeting this evening on the issue. The GoM was apprised that all 9000 TJ followers have been identified and isolated. The work of “contact-tracing” of these persons is almost complete and states are dealing with them firmly.
This apart, there were 22 other hot-spots in the country like the two major Jhuggi clusters in Mumbai and other parts of the country. But there are no reports of massive spread of monster virus. In fact, 66000 Covid-19 tests presented a somewhat relieving picture that only 2500 have been found positive so far. This is less than 2%. Now that the “anti-body rapid tests” have virtually been cleared by the Group dealing with the health to be conducted in all clusters, the situation will become clear within the next 3-4 days.
The GoM was satisfied that there was no major out-break of Covid-19 casesin any of the densely populated clusters in Maharashtra, Delhi, Kerala and any other state. The GoM was particularly took note that all the states have come down on the violators with a heavy hand and taking pro-active measurers. If the Prime Minister is monitoring the situation himself 24X7 and prodding ministries and Chief Ministers, other wings are also involved in the exercise. For example, the President ans the Vice President are fully involved and holding video conferences with Governors and LGs. The entire bureaucracy has been empowered to take decision by the setting up of 11 groups who reported to the Ministerial GoM today in detail.
The GoM was also apprised of the ground level situation of health preparedness in terms of Personal Protective Kits (PPKs), masks, gloves etc and ventilators. Of course, orders for 1.50 crores PPKs have been placed and first lot of ten lakhs will arrive by Monday. The home ministry has already stern instructions to the states that violators must be dealt with a heavy hand.
The PM Constitutes GoM under Rajnath Singh on Covid-19
Ten days ago and the first meeting took place on March 29. Today was the second meeting and all major issues were cleared relating to all concerned ministries.
Ends
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