Covid-19 outbreak : PM Modi cautions against complacency, advises for maintaining strict Vigil

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 Covid-19 outbreak : PM Modi cautions against complacency, advises for maintaining strict Vigil



Covid BF.7 Variant Updates:

 Pressing the alarming button, Health Ministry advised States/UTs to send samples of all COVID-19 positive cases to INSACOG Genome Sequencing Laboratories (IGSLs) on a daily basis, for sequencing, to track new variants.

Covid was back at the centre of India’s health and political map on Wednesday with the government advising people to get vaccinated and mask up, and saying random sample testing will be conducted at airports for passengers arriving from China and other countries. Three cases of the Omicron subvariant BF.7, apparently the strain driving China's current surge of Covid cases, were detected. The first case of BF.7 in India was detected in October by the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre, official sources said, adding that two cases have been reported from Gujarat and one from Odisha.

PM chairs high-level meeting, cautions against any complacency

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today chaired a high-level meeting to assess the Covid-19 situation in the country, the preparedness of health infrastructure and logistics, the status of the vaccination campaign in the country and the emergence of new Covid-19 variants and their public health implications for the country. Prime Minister cautioned against complacency and advised strict vigil. He reiterated that Covid is not over yet and directed officials to strengthen the ongoing surveillance measures, especially at international airports.

Advisory will be issued making masks mandatory at required places: Karnataka health minister

Karnataka health minister K Sudhakar said an advisory will be issued making masks mandatory at indoor, closed & air-conditioned places. "Union government guidelines will be followed for random testing and screening passengers arriving from abroad at international airports," he added. 

Prepared to handle Covid cases, says Andhra govt

The Andhra Pradesh government on Thursday said it is ready to handle any eventuality in view of the sudden spurt of Covid cases in certain countries, as the State has sufficient manpower, beds, drugs and oxygen. An official release said during the last 50 days, over 30,000 samples were tested resulting in 130 positive cases while there are some cases of a new sub- variant of omicron – XBB - which has similar features of omicron.

No need to worry as Delhi has no cases of BF.7 variant, says CM Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said the national capital does not have a single case of BF.7 variant and that his government is doing genome sequencing. He also said that currently, cases of the XBB variant are being reported in Delhi. "Covid cases are rising in China and several other countries. It has BF.7 variant. We don't have a single case of that variant in Delhi. So there's no need to worry. We are doing genome sequencing," he added. 

Delhi is all prepared to handle Covid wave, if any: CM Kejriwal

Covid cases are rising in China and several other countries. It has BF.7 variant. We don't have a single case of that variant in Delhi. So there's no need to worry. We are doing genome sequencing. Currently, XBB variant cases are coming in Delhi. We have 8,000 beds for Covid in Delhi. Now, we aim to prepare 36,000 beds pertaining to Covid. We have a storage capacity of 928 mt tonne oxygen in Delhi, says CM Arvind Kejriwal.

Delhi AIIMS issues fresh guidelines; urges staff to follow Covid appropriate behaviour

In the wake of the increase in the global cases of Covid-19 in China and several other countries, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi issued fresh guidelines, urging its staff members to follow Covid appropriate behaviour. 

There are the following guidelines:

(i) Use reusable./cloth face cover/surgical mask in the workplace.

(ii) Ensure proper cleaning and frequent unitization of the workplace, particularly of frequently touched surfaces.

(iii) Cover your nose and mouth with a handkerchief while sneezing and coughing.

(iv) Maintain personal hygiene and physical distancing.

(v) Stria disinfection protocols should be followed in the building/room as per guidelines.

(vi) Practice frequent hand washing with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand rub sanitisers.

(vii) Seating arrangements in sections/moms may be made to ensure adequate distance between officials in the room.

(viii) Gathering especially in canteens must be avoided.

(ix) Gathering of 5 or more persons at any place in the office should be avoided.

(x) Discourage. to the maximum extent. entry of visitors in the office complex. Only those visitors who have proper permission of the office. whom they want to meet, should be allowed after being properly screened.

(xi) All officials are advised to take care of their own health and look out for symptoms such as fever, respiratory problems and. if feeling unwell. should leave the workplace. immediately after informing their reporting officers. Such employees should observe home quarantine with the advice of the doctor and should get tested for COVID.

(xii) All employees who are at higher risk i.e. older employees. pregnant employees and employees who have underlying medical conditions should take extra precautions. 

Centre advises heightened surveillance and booster dose coverage

Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya today said states have been asked to focus on heightened surveillance within the community, undertake requisite control and containment measures, and ensure coverage of precaution doses for COVID-19 vaccination, amid a spurt of coronavirus cases in some parts of the world. In a statement in both houses of Parliament, Mandaviya said two per cent random sampling of international travellers arriving at airports has already started from Thursday to minimise ingress of any new variant in the country.

Govt mulls mandating forms with RT-PCR, vaccination details for air travellers from China & other nations

Amid the growing threat of the latest Omicron variant, the Union health ministry is mulling to reintroduce the mandatory 'air suvidha' forms with details of RT-PCR tests conducted 72 hours prior to travel or complete vaccination proof for passengers travelling from China and other nations seeing COVID surge.

Delhi has not reported any cases of BF.7 variant so far: LNJP Hospital MD

Dr Suresh, MD of LNJP Hospital in Delhi, said the city has not reported any cases of the BF.7 variant of Omicron so far. "We are fully prepared & vigilant. The Centre has instructed to conduct genome sequencing of every case...We have COVID 450 beds, 50 ICU beds & other facilities," he added. 

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