Amidst the potential third wave, large crowd gatherings pose immense challenges, mentioned the Chief Minister. In the wake of this, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to curate a comprehensive policy, at the national level to curb the crowds. It is noted by the authorities that crowds tend to gather for religious, social, political events and agitations.
The Central Government had organized a meeting with the Prime Minister and the Chief Ministers of the six states that are reporting the maximum number of cases. In the virtual meeting, the CM briefed the PM regarding the steps undertaken by the state government to combat the second wave and the plans in the pipeline regarding the impending third wave.
Uddhav Thackeray mentioned that while the number of patients and death in the state is reducing, it needs to decline further. Vaccination of the frontline workers and reduction of the rate of vaccine wastage is occurring on a war-footing in Maharashtra. He then went on to thank the PM for offering timely guidance and added that whilst the number of patients is declining, it hasn't completely reduced and thus, the second wave is still present. He went on to elucidate that all across the country, people are stepping out of their homes for religious and political reasons amongst others. Revenge tourism and revenge shopping are two prominent concepts now. He mentioned that whilst the state is doing everything in its capacity, a policy at the Central level is the need of the hour.
Additionally, he requested additional vaccines, control in the price of essential medicines, assistance in setting up centres of excellence for post covid treatments.
The Chief Minister also ameliorated that a covid task force for the industries has been curated which will be monitored under the Chief Minister's Secretariat. He added that industries have been instructed to undertake division of work and mealtime, vaccinate the workforce and temporary accommodation in the field for workers.
The CM also addressed a major bone of contention, oxygen. He mentioned that in the third wave, considering the amount of oxygen given by the centre, whilst the state can produce 2,000 metric tonnes, it would need 4,000 metric tonnes of oxygen per day. If the additional 2,000 metric tonnes of oxygen came from the nearby states, it would be of great assistance to Maharashtra. He explained that 530 PSA oxygen plants are being set up in each district of the state. Moreover, district wise oxygen management planning is being undertaken.
On the vaccination front, he stated that 8-10 districts in western Maharashtra and Konkan are infected and 2.06 cr people under 18 need to be administered both doses. Currently, 87.90 lakh doses are given here. Thus, if an additional 3cr doses are given to the state, it can prioritize vaccination in these regions.
He also said that whilst monoclonal antibodies are effective they are also expensive at Rs 50,000-Rs 60,000 per dose. In the third wave, even if 50,000 patients need it, the cost will be more than Rs 300cr.
Also Read: Maharashtra Govt Is Prepared To Vaccinate 15 Lakhs People Per Day: Uddhav Thackeray
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