Ramp up efforts to counter surge,ensure prompt aid to people: PM Modi

Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the Covid-19 situation in his parliamentary constituency Varanasi via video conferencing on Sunday and directed officials to ramp up efforts to tackle the surge in cases and provide all possible assistance to the ill at the earliest.The PM sought the latest figures of testing, beds, medicines, vaccines, manpower and treatment of Covid patients in the district.

He thanked doctors and medical staff for doing their duty in this hour of crisis and urged them to use their experience of the first wave last year and move forward cautiously.

Modi asked officials to focus on the strategy of ‘testing, tracking and treating’ adopted during the first wave of pandemic.

Interacting with public representatives and officials, the PM said he is also taking feedback from the people of Varanasi constantly.

“The expansion and modernisation of medical infrastructure in Varanasi in the last five-six years has helped in combating Covid.

Since the number of patients is increasing, the number of beds in Covid facilities, ventilators and availability of oxygen is being augmented in Varanasi,” the PM added.

The entire machinery has to work with the same strategy which had helped in controlling the first wave of Covid-19, Modi said.

The Prime Minister emphasized on increasing efforts at all levels due to increase in cases.

He said that the Varanasi administration should step up the pace of work in all fields in the same way it rapidly set up the ‘Kashi Covid Response Centre’.