Indian govt tells states to conduct genome-sequencing of samples
Chandigarh: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will review the situation related to Covid-19 in the country at a high-level meeting Thursday afternoon, a report in The Tribune, chanddigarh, says.
This follows a day after Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya reviewed the situation and asked people to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour, including wearing masks in crowded places, and getting vaccinated.
As a fresh global surge in Covid-19 cases becomes apparent, official sources have said random sample testing will be done at airports for international passengers arriving from China and other countries.
Directives to states for to conduct genome sequencing of samples have also been issued, the central government’s additional chief secretary of Health said on Wednesday, December 21
Meanwhile, Chinese health experts have warned that a new wave of coronavirus infections that have hit China may result in new variants, prompting authorities to set up a nationwide network of hospitals to monitor virus mutations.
Beijing is hit by the BF.7 variant of the Omicron virus, stated to be the fastest spreading coronavirus, causing havoc in the capital whose hospitals are overcrowded.
Wang Guangfa, a respiratory expert from Peking University First Hospital, warned that Beijing may experience a spike in severe Covid-19 cases over the next fortnight.
Following the fresh wave, medical resources in Beijing are facing additional stress. Wang told state-run Global Times.
Keeping medical resources at par is a key factor in raising success rates in treating critical Covid-19 cases, he added.
According to health officials, Chinese cities are currently hit by highly transmissible Omicron strains, mainly BA.5.2 and BF.7, which are spreading like wildfire.
Beijing is hit by the BF.7 variant of the Omicron virus, stated to be the fastest spreading coronavirus, causing havoc in the capital whose hospitals are overcrowded.
Sources said BF.7 cases were reported in India in July, September and November and there are four cases so far and added that three cases were reported from Gujarat and one from Odisha. They said more cases have not been reported and the infection has not been found to be strong.
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