Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set the country and his government an ambitious target - to stop a potential third wave of COVID-19 cases in India before it even begins - Dr VK Paul, chief of India's Covid task force, said during a scheduled press briefing on Friday.
"Our population is still vulnerable... the virus is still around and an outbreak might happen. The decline is slow. The situation is under control... but this (the increase in cases in some states) is a warning. The Prime Minister has given us a target - there should be no third wave," he said.
He also said the government would act to increase the pace of vaccinations, which have been in worrying decline since peaking on June 21, when 86.16 lakh doses were administered.
Yesterday only 38.79 lakh doses were administered.
Earlier the Prime Minister told the leaders of six states that stopping a third wave must be a "priority".
Speaking to the chief ministers of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, Kerala and Maharashtra - which have contributed 80 per cent of new cases and 84 per cent of deaths in the past week - he stressed the 'test, track, treat and teeka (vaccinate)' system to contain the virus.
He also urged them to ramp up RT-PCR testing, increase pace of vaccinations and ensure people follow Covid-appropriate behaviour.
"To stop the third wave of COVID-19 is absolutely necessary. We have a strategy in place - 'test, track, treat and teeka (vaccinate)'. This must be a priority," the Prime Minister said today.
"Cases are increasing in Kerala and Maharashtra. This is a matter of concern... states where cases are increasing should take proactive measures to prevent any possibility of a third wave," he said.
PM Modi called for an increase in Covid testing to counter a third wave of infections (File)
The PM's clarion call on avoiding a third wave comes as experts, including a senior doctor from the ICMR, warn that a fresh round of infections could hit as early as next month. It also comes after the government expressed dismay at images of large crowds at hill stations and city markets.
"The virus does not come and go on its own... we bring it with us when we disobey the rules. Experts are warning us repeatedly that careless behaviour - like overcrowding - will lead to an increase in Covid cases," the PM said earlier this week.
A national 'R' factor of 0.95 is further cause for concern, particularly since the increase - from 0.75 four weeks ago - is matched by a decline in daily average vaccinations.
Experts, including those in the government, have cautioned that inoculating at least 60 per cent of the population is necessary to at least minimise the impact of new wave of infections.
But vaccine supply is a recurring flashpoint between centre and states, with the former insisting there are adequate doses, and that states are guilty of mismanagement and creating panic.
States, on the other hand, say vaccines are in short supply.
This week Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin wrote to ask for 1 crore extra doses. On Tuesday, Delhi said it had to shut several state-run vaccination centres as it had exhausted its Covishield stock.
Kerala, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Bengal, Punjab and Jharkhand have raised similar red flags.
At today's briefing Dr Paul said vaccine supplies would be increased in the coming days, and that more than 70 crore doses had been ordered for the August-December period.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization on Thursday said the world is now in the 'early stages' of a global third wave amid a surge in cases due to the 'delta' variant.
PM Modi Leaves For Home After Concluding Three-Nation Visit PM Modi: Culture, Cuisine, Cricket Strengthen India-Guyana Ties "Era Of Cooperation, Not Conflict": PM Says Democracy, Not Expansionism Is The Way "Thousand Times Better...": Delhi Lt Governor's Surprise For AAP's Atishi "World War 3 Has Begun": Ukraine Ex-Military Commander Amid Russia Conflict UK To Arrest Netanyahu If He Visits, "Will Comply" With World Court Order Ukraine Returns Residents Of Russian Border Region In Rare Deal With Moscow Fast-Forming Alien Planet Puzzles Astronomers. Defies Current Understanding Top Court Expunges High Court's Remarks Against Judge, Calls For Restraint Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.