Covid BF7 Variant in India: Centre, States in action; PM Modi calls for strict vigil

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday reviewed the state's law and order situation with senior government and police officials and emphaised on merit-based speedy resolution of public problems and grievances.

Amid a surge in Covid cases in some countries, Haryana's Health Department has issued guidelines directing all civil surgeons in the state to ensure compliance of various measures across all health facilities.

Telangana Health Minister T Harish Rao on Friday urged the Centre to supply COVID-19 vaccines to step up booster dose coverage in the state. Rao, who attended a video conference held by Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, said Telangana has achieved 48 per cent booster dose coverage against national average of 23 per cent, an official release said.

In view of the spurt in Covid cases in some countries, the Gujarat government has decided to conduct random tests on 2 per cent of all passengers arriving at international airports in Ahmedabad and Surat and launch a special drive to expand the coverage of booster doses, a minister said on Friday.

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation on Friday issued a health advisory amid surging Covid cases. It stated that BMC is increasing public awareness about the virus and use of covid appropriate behaviour to curtail the transmission of the virus, enhancing surveillance and contact tracing, emphasising on regular RT-PCR testing, and communicating effectively with the public through ward war rooms.

In addition, the BMC has focused on implementing vaccination drives. BMC has provided resources such as hospitals and beds, oxygen facilities to a
address the needs of Covid-19 patients. 

"We are alert but no restrictions will be imposed, 2% of the international passengers are tested for genome sequencing. We have also alerted the officials in the meeting to be prepared before the mock drill on Dec 27," Goa CM Pramod Sawant on meeting with state officials. 

Karnataka Health Minister K Sudhakar on Friday denounced the political twist being given to the state government's COVID-19-related advisory, by the opposition parties, saying it was issued based on scientific evidence and not for political reasons. While Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is continuing his 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' across the country, the JD(S) second-in-command H D Kumaraswamy is conducting the 'Pancharatna Yatra.'

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan gave instructions to be on alert about Covid and asked authorities yo keep preparing mock drills of oxygen plants. 

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya holds a meeting with state health ministers. 

"The Health Department conducted a review of Covid19 situation and our preparedness. We have issued an advisory that those with symptoms be tested and positive samples subjected to genome sequencing. We've advised people to wear masks," says BK Mohapatra, Director-Health, Odisha. 

"Centre has directed that Covid-19 positive samples should be sent for genome sequencing. Yesterday we've started 2% random sampling of international passengers at Pune International airport. We've 600 hospital beds for isolation," says Medical officer, Health Dept, Pune Municipal Corp

The Health Department has increased vigilance at public places. Necessary arrangements will be made at international airports like Coimbatore, Chennai, Trichy, Madurai for the random RTPCR testing of passengers from tomorrow as per the order of Central Government, Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian said.

I appeal to people of Karnataka to take the booster dose at the earliest. People should wear masks, especially in indoor places & maintain social distancing. Today Union Health Min is chairing a meeting with us and accordingly will follow guidelines of Centre: Karnataka Health Minister K Sudhakar

"Union Health Minister wrote a letter to Rahul Gandhi even before Indian government declared a medical emergency in the country, or discussed about the new Covid variant. There hasn't been much impact in India. But we should be alert," said Congress leader Digvijaya Singh

A mock drill for emergency response to deal with COVID19 cases will be conducted in hospitals across the country on Tuesday, 27th December. Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will also visit a government hospital to oversee, said sources

"The government of India approves Nasal vaccine. It will be used as a heterologous booster and will be available first in private hospitals. It will be included in COVID19 vaccination program from today," Official Sources

"The focus of our government is to transform health care into holistic health care. Following the PM's vision of 'One Nation One Health', we collectively handled COVID. 220 crore doses of vaccine have been administered," said Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia: 

"There is no need to worry about COVID19, but there is a need to be alert. Everyone is advised to observe personal hygiene and those who have not taken the covid vaccine should take it immediately and take a booster dose," said Telangana Health Minister Harish Rao

Delhi logged 10 COVID-19 cases with an increased positivity rate of 0. 41 per cent and one fatality on Thursday, according to data shared by the Health department. Delhi had logged five cases with a positivity rate of 0. 19 per cent and one fatality on Wednesday. With the fresh cases, the national capital's COVID-19 case tally has risen to 2,007,112 while the death toll rose to 26,521. A total of 2,421 tests were conducted the previous day. Fifteen beds are occupied in dedicated COVID-19 hospitals while 18 patients are in home isolation.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday said the new Omicron sub-variant BF. 7 of the coronavirus that is causing a surge in cases in many countries has not been detected in Delhi so far and added his government is fully geared up to tackle any eventuality. Addressing a press conference, Kejriwal said the dominant sub-variant in Delhi is XBB that has been detected in 92 per cent of the samples till now. Kejriwal had convened a meeting at his residence on the Covid situation amid a surge in cases in many countries. During the meeting, the chief minister also issued instructions to send all positive cases for genome sequencing, increase precaution dose coverage and manpower in hospitals. He directed officials to take prior approval for procurement of essential items needed and inspect machines in all hospitals.

The Indian Medical Association on Thursday advised citizens to avoid public gatherings such as marriages, political or social meetings as well as international travel amid a rise in Covid cases in some countries. In an advisory, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) also appealed to people to take COVID-19 vaccines, including the precaution dose, and follow Covid-appropriate behaviour such as using masks in public places and maintaining social-distancing norms to "overcome the impending Covid outbreak".

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav on Thursday asserted that the state government is fully prepared to handle a surge in COVID-19 cases. Yadav, who holds the health portfolio, reviewed the COVID situation in the state with health officials, civil surgeons, and directors of medical colleges, asking them to gear up in case of an outbreak of the new variant of the coronavirus. Hospitals are fully prepared, and testing and vaccination are underway in full swing. The medical establishments are equipped with medicines and adequate oxygen supply. People must also take safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the health minister said.

The Maharashtra health department on Thursday night said 2 per cent of the international passengers arriving at the state's airports will be tested randomly amid concern of a possible spike in COVID-19 cases due to detection of the BF. 7 sub-variant of Omicron which is said to be driving the latest surge in infections in neighbouring China. The state government has not made masks mandatory for people, but has advised their use by elderly persons and high-risk populations, including those with comorbidities (having existing illnesses), the health department said in a statement.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday cautioned against complacency, called for strict vigil and directed that the ongoing surveillance measures, especially at international airports, be strengthened. "Covid is not over yet," Modi reiterated at a high-level Covid review meeting and urged people to wear masks in crowded places.

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will hold a meeting with health ministers of states and Union territories today (December 23) over rising COVID-19 cases in some parts of the world.