Ahmedabad: Amid a fresh global surge in COVID-19 cases, the central government has briefed all states to conduct genome sequencing of samples, the additional chief secretary of Health informed on Wednesday.
Additional Chief Secretary of Health, Manoj Agarwal said the central government briefed all states to ensure proper screening international passengers, as well as genome sequencing, on Tuesday.
"Yesterday (Tuesday), the central government briefed all states on the increasing trend of COVID-19 variants in parts of the world and asked them to ensure that whole genome sequencing is done in all states," he said.
There has been an alarming surge in COVID cases in China, Japan, South Korea, France and the United States.
The spike is being blamed on new Omicron sub-variant BF.7, which has also been detected in four Indian states.
Also called the Omicron Spawn, the BF.7 sub-variant, first detected in India in October, is the newest form that has high transmissibility.
According to health experts, this is because the new variant quickly bypasses the immunity that a person has developed through a natural infection with an earlier variant or even if the complete course of the vaccines are taken.
Due to this, there is an expectation that the world might see a fourth wave of the pandemic.
This new Omicron variant was first detected in China and India has seen its first case of this variant in Gujarat.
Initially in the pandemic, the virus mutated several times and the WHO declared the Delta variant as the most severe one.
The symptoms of the new BF.7 sub-variant are similar to common flu and include cold, cough, fever, body pain, etc. As it is highly transmittable, it spreads to a larger group of people within a short duration.
It is important to be careful in public places since we do see that people have become a little careless as many of the norms and the rules that are put forth during Covid-19 have been lifted, say experts.
So, it is now important that we at least follow the basic measures, they add.
Amid the fresh COVID scare, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya chaired a high-level meeting to review the prevailing COVID-19 situation in the country and the preparedness of the public health system for surveillance, containment and management of the pandemic.
He urged people to follow COVID-appropriate behaviour and get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Four cases BF.7 reported
Emphasising that the pandemic is not over yet, he asked officials to be fully geared up to challenge and step up surveillance.
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.
In the last six months, India reported four cases of the BF.7 Omicron sub-variant, which is driving the current surge of infections in China. Sources said there are currently 10 different variants of COVID-19 in the country, with the latest being BF.7.
"There are currently ten different variants of COVID-19 in the country, with the latest variant being BF.7. At present various variants of Omicron are spreading in the country and the Delta variant can still be seen in the country," a source told ANI.
Surat Municipal Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani said a woman with travel history to America was found BF.7 variant positive on November 18 in Vadodara.
The Union Health Minister was briefed on the global COVID-19 situation and the domestic scenario.
"She recovered after home isolation and her condition is normal. There is no need to panic, situations are under control," the official said.
The government's decision to re-introduce the COVID-19 testing related measures at airports comes as a part of preventive measures being taken up as coronavirus cases surge globally.
Doctors warned people to keep wearing masks if they are in crowded spaces. “Use a mask if you are in a crowded space, indoors or outdoors. This is all the more important for people with comorbidities or are of higher age" he said.
Centre steps up COVID surveillance
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya conducted a high-level meeting to review the COVID-19 situation in the country and the preparedness of the public health system for surveillance, containment and management of COVID-19 in view of the recent spike in cases of COVID-19 in some countries. Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Bharati Pravin Pawar was also present besides Dr K Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog and senior officials and public health experts.
Underlining the challenge posed by the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in some countries across the world such as China, Japan, South Korea, France and the United States, Union Health Minister noted the importance of being prepared and remaining alert against new and emerging strains of COVID-19, especially in view of the upcoming festive season.
Mandaviya also said that Covid-19 is not yet over and directed officials to be alert and strengthen surveillance amid a surge in coronavirus cases globally.
He urged people to follow COVID-appropriate behaviour and get vaccinated"
"The surveillance system for whole genome sequencing of positive case samples will track the variants through the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) network to ensure timely detection of newer variants, if any, circulating in the country. This would facilitate the undertaking of appropriate public health measures. States and UTs have been requested 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, if any," he said.
In a presentation, the Union Health Minister was briefed that India has been witnessing a steady decline in cases with average daily cases falling to 158 in the week ending December 19, 2022.
However, a consistent rise in global daily average cases has been reported since the last six weeks, with 5.9 lakh average daily cases reported in the week ending December 19, 2022.
"A new and highly transmissible BF.7 strain of the Omicron variant has been found to be behind a wider surge of COVID infections in China," an official release said.
Dr VK Paul said only 27-28 per cent of people have taken precaution dose. "We appeal to others, especially senior citizens, to take the precautionary dose. Use a mask if you are in a crowded space, indoors or outdoors. This is all the more important for people with comorbidities or those of higher age," Dr Paul added.
However, the Union health ministry has rejected the claim and has termed the message fake. "This message circulating in many WhatsApp groups regarding XXB variant of Covid 19 is FAKE and Misleading", said the health ministry on Thursday.
The viral message claims that "the new variant of the COVID-Omicron XBB coronavirus is different, deadly and not easy to detect correctly. The symptoms of the new virus COVID-Omicron XBB are - there is no cough and there is no fever."
"COVID-Omicron XBB is 5 times more virulent than the Delta variant and has a higher mortality rate than it," the viral message claims further.
