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DPA
New Delhi
India can overcome the COVID-19 pandemic if 10 of its worst-hit states defeat it, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told regional leaders on Tuesday, adding that those states account for over 80 per cent of active coronavirus cases in the nation.
India is places third in the worst-affected countries after United States and Brazil, with infections nearing the 2.3-million mark and a death toll of 45,257.
“A view has emerged that if we unitedly make efforts to defeat the virus in these 10 states, the entire country will emerge victorious in the battle against COVID-19,” Modi said during a video conference with chief ministers of the states.
He urged the states to ramp up testing, saying their role was crucial in the fight against COVID-19. Overall, India is conducting 700,000 tests every day.
“Experts now say if we identify COVID-19 cases within 72 hours of onset, then infection slows down to a great extent,” Modi said, adding that India was making progress, with the number of active cases dropping and a total of 1.5 million recoveries.
Modi said he hoped that the target of reducing the fatality rate to below 1 percent would be achieved soon.
The state of Maharashtra, where the financial hub Mumbai is located, as well as Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh have reported the highest numbers of cases in India.
New Delhi
India can overcome the COVID-19 pandemic if 10 of its worst-hit states defeat it, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told regional leaders on Tuesday, adding that those states account for over 80 per cent of active coronavirus cases in the nation.
India is places third in the worst-affected countries after United States and Brazil, with infections nearing the 2.3-million mark and a death toll of 45,257.
“A view has emerged that if we unitedly make efforts to defeat the virus in these 10 states, the entire country will emerge victorious in the battle against COVID-19,” Modi said during a video conference with chief ministers of the states.
He urged the states to ramp up testing, saying their role was crucial in the fight against COVID-19. Overall, India is conducting 700,000 tests every day.
“Experts now say if we identify COVID-19 cases within 72 hours of onset, then infection slows down to a great extent,” Modi said, adding that India was making progress, with the number of active cases dropping and a total of 1.5 million recoveries.
Modi said he hoped that the target of reducing the fatality rate to below 1 percent would be achieved soon.
The state of Maharashtra, where the financial hub Mumbai is located, as well as Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh have reported the highest numbers of cases in India.
