Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, on Tuesday, chaired a crucial meeting to review coronavirus situations in 11 states and Union Territories, which has been reporting a steep rise in coronavirus cases.

These 11 states are Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Rajasthan. The virtual meeting was attended by health ministers of these states and UTs. 

Pointing out at the states where Farmer Protests were held, the government blamed them for being a 'COVID BOMB' which is the reason behind thousands of death to which the Farmer Unions and Rakesh Tikait said 'We will continue to protest even if there's a lockdown and spread coronavirus.

Protests took place in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and in some parts of Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka that were led by political parties in opposition.

Vardhan further said that it has come to their notice that the sudden increase in cases is largely or maybe event-driven including grand weddings, local body elections, farmers' protest. He also asserted that there is no vaccine shortage in any part of the country and that the Centre is providing the required quantities to all states and UTs.

For the second-time time in the country, more than one lakh infections are being reported in a single day. But in spite of the danger posed by the pandemic, the farmers are adamant to continue their protest against the new Union farm laws

However, despite the surge, farmers at the borders are ignoring the Covid-19 protocols. The farmers are neither seen wearing face masks nor using hand sanitisers due to which they are at a greater risk of contracting Covid-19.

Five states -- Maharashtra, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Kerala and Punjab -- cumulatively contribute to 75.88 per cent of the total active cases in the country. Maharashtra alone accounts for nearly 58.23 per cent of the total active caseload, the ministry said.

On Tuesday, India added a record 115,320 new cases, to take its overall tally of cases to 11,789,781; 630 people died from Covid-19 on Tuesday. Maharashtra topped with 55,469, followed by Chhattisgarh (9,921).