New Delhi, April 20: With the second wave of the pandemic sweeping across the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on Tuesday.
Ruling out a countrywide lockdown, Modi said that state governments should impose a lockdown only as a last resort.
The second wave of the pandemic has proved to be a major crisis for the country. I laud all essential workers for their sacrifices to serve the nation at this hour of need," Modi said.
Addressing shortage of medical oxygen in various states, Modi said that the Centre and state governments are working towards increasing medical oxygen supply at all hospitals.
The prime minister's addresses comes on a day when the India's Covid-19 case tally climbed to 1,53,21,089 with 2,59,170 new coronavirus infections being reported during the last 24 hours.
"Our private sector has fast-tracked the vaccine manufacturing process in the country. All sectors have stepped up at this hour of crisis and this is why India has been able to successfully launch the world's largest Covid-19 inoculation drive," Modi said.
He also said that Covid-19 vaccines will continue to be provided free of cost at government vaccination centres.