PM Modi to chair Council of Ministers meeting today to review Covid-19 situation in country

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a meeting of Council of Ministers at 11 am today to review the COVID-19 situation in the country. This will be the first meeting of the Council of Ministers in the aftermath of the second wave of the pandemic. During the meeting, the ongoing vaccination drive, which has now been opened for those in the 18 to 45 age group, is likely to be discussed among others.

Health Secretary yesterday submitted a report to the Home Secretary regarding the Corona situation in the worst-affected nine states. Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh are some of the worst affected states and major contributors to the sharp rise in COVID cases in the country.

PM Modi has been holding a series of meetings with several stakeholders and key personnel to continuously review the COVID-19 situation in the country. He previously held meetings with chief ministers of states, vaccine manufacturers, top brass of the pharmaceutical industry discussing various aspects of how to bring the COVID-19 under control.

The prime minister also held a meeting with oxygen manufacturers across the country to discuss the ramping up of oxygen generation and its transport amid the shortage of oxygen reported in several states.

The vaccine manufacturers have been asked to ramp up their production as well as attract new national and international players. The manufacturers have been directed to release 50 per cent of their stock for the state governments and in the open market at a pre-declared price. At present 45 years and above are eligible to administer vaccine the COVID-19 vaccine, while the vaccination for 18 years and above will begin from May 1 as the registrations for the same have begun on CoWIN portal and Aarogya Setu app.