New Delhi: India today issued a fresh Covid advisory after alarming reprts from China prompted a high-level meeting to chalk out the strategy to prevent a surge here. India's COVID-19 tally today climbed to 4,46,76,330 with 131 fresh infections, while the number of active cases came down to 3,408, according to Union health ministry data.
India also reported the first cases of Omicron subvariant BF.7, apparently the strain driving China's current surge of Covid cases.
The first case of BF.7 in India was detected in October by Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre.
Here are the LIVE updates on the Covid situation in India:
Chandigarh To Increase Covid Testing From 100 To 600
Health Secretary Chandigarh Yashpal Garg on Wednesday said that the administration would increase testing to 600 per day in view of the guidelines from the Centre regarding COVID-19 cases.
"Central government has already instructed to keep track of COVID cases and related trends. We will increase testing from 100 to 600 per day. We are taking precautions, I appeal to people to get vaccinated soon," Yashpal Garg, Health Secretary told ANI.
"If required we will increase the tests. There are chances of an increase in cases when the testing is increased. There is no need to worry as of now. We are taking precautions. We will also send samples for genome sequencing to keep track of the variants," he said.
"We also have stocks of medicines, oxygen and beds. I appeal to people who have not taken the booster dose or if not taken their first and second doses they should get vaccinated soon. We have a vaccination camp going on in sector 16," the Health Secretary added.
Delhi government is keeping a watch on the COVID-19 situation and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has directed the health department to ensure genome sequencing of samples and take other steps needed to meet any eventuality, officials said on Wednesday.
Amid a sudden spurt in COVID-19 cases in Japan, South Korea, Brazil, China, and the US, the central government had on Tuesday urged all states and Union territories to gear up the whole genome sequencing of positive samples to keep track of emerging variants.
Will Increase Covid Testing From 100 to 600 Per Day: Chandigarh Health Secretary
Health Secretary Chandigarh Yashpal Garg today said that the administration would increase testing to 600 per day in view of the guidelines from the Centre regarding COVID-19 cases. "Central government has already instructed to keep track of COVID cases and related trends. We will increase testing from 100 to 600 per day. We are taking precautions, I appeal to people to get vaccinated soon," he told ANI.
Will Monitor International Flyers At Bengaluru Airport, Says Karnataka Health MinisterThe Karnataka government will start monitoring international passengers at Bengaluru airport in view of a sudden spurt in COVID-19 cases in some parts of the world, Health Minister K Sudhakar said today.
He, however, did not specify from which date the monitoring process will begin at the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in the state capital.
Sending Samples Of Covid Positive Cases For Genomic Sequencing: Karnataka Health Minister
In the wake of new variants being found in other countries, Union Health Ministry has directed states to send samples of all new Covid cases for genomic sequencing and we have already taken measures to implement the same, said Karnataka Health and Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar.
No Case Of New Omicron Variant In Maharashtra Yet: Minister
No patient infected with a new Omicron variant, said to be driving China's current surge of COVID-19 cases, has been detected so far in Maharashtra, but thermal screening will be conducted for air passengers arriving from countries where the variant has been found, Heath Minister Tanaji Sawant said today. Talking to reporters in Nagpur, where the winter session of the state legislature is currently going on, he said he has asked officials to remain alert and emphasis on tracking, testing and vaccination.
Delhi Chief Minister Calls Emergency Meet To Review Covid Preparedness Tomorrow
Amid Covid Scare, UP Government Issues Alert, Steps Up Preparedness
Amid the growing COVID scare in the country, the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government has issued an alert across the state and stepped up preparedness. "The Health and Medical Education Department should start arrangements from investigation to treatment. Vigilance should be increased at the airport. People who have returned from infection-affected countries should be tested," sources told ANI.
2 Patients In Gujarat, Detected With China Covid Variant, Cured At Home
Two patients who were detected with China covid sub-variant were cured at home.
Random Sampling For Covid At Airports For Passengers Arriving From China, Other Countries: Sources
Random sample testing for coronavirus will be conducted at airports for international passengers arriving from China and other countries in view of the recent surge in cases in some parts of the world, official sources said today. The move comes following a meeting chaired by Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to review the Covid situation in the country. "Random sample testing will be done for international air passengers arriving from various countries including China," a source, as per PTI, said.