Coronavirus outbreak: Random testing of int'l arrivals from Dec 24, airlines to select flyers for screening

The Odisha government on Wednesday asked district administrations and health authorities to strengthen surveillance and take measures for whole genome sequencing of Covid-positive samples after the news surfaced that one of the three cases of the Omicron subvariant BF.7 was detected in the state.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday expressed concern over the surge in Covid-19 cases in China and advised health officials to form a committee of experts to keep an eye on the emerging situation. Banerjee, during a meeting at the state secretariat, enquired why one of the reporters was wearing masks, which has become a rarity in Bengal, and cabinet minister Arup Biswas subsequently informed her that cases were on the rise in China.

The state government plans to set up a task force to study Covid’s threat after its resurgence in countries like China, Japan, Korea and the US. Also, international flyers are to be screened and isolated if found positive. Deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, replying to a question raised by leader of opposition in the assembly Ajit Pawar, said on Wednesday that a “task force would study the situation and suggest measures to prevent entry of deadly viruses in the state”. “Some countries are facing severe crises like faced by India during Covid’s second wave. Media reports suggest that in China, there is a severe shortage of beds and patients are kept inside cars,” he said.

Amid a surge in Covid-19 cases in China and other countries, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal will hold an emergency review meeting on Thursday to take stock of the situation, the Delhi government said on Wednesday. The meet will be attended by deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and other ministers. The move comes after Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya warned against taking the virus lightly, saying “Covid is not yet over”.

India has reported four Covid-19 cases caused by the BF. 7 variant, a new sub-variant of the Omicron strain that is driving the rapid surge in infections in China since July, official sources said on Wednesday. Three cases have been reported from Gujarat and one has been confirmed from Odisha, the sources said. All four patients were either asymptomatic or had mild symptoms and have now recovered, they added.

Deputy CM Manish Sisodia along with other senior officials of the health department will be present in the meeting. The Delhi government is keeping a watch on the Covid-19 situation and the chief minister has directed the health department to ensure genome sequencing of samples and take other steps needed to meet any eventuality, PTI quoted officials as saying.

While Covid cases increase in Chinese cities, cases in Mumbai - the country's worst hotspot during the first and second waves of the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, respectively - are at the lowest ever. Between December 1 and 21, the city, which once recorded over 11,000 cases in a 24-hour span in April 2021, recorded 155 cases and only one death.

China reported zero new Covid-19 deaths for December 21, the same as the previous day, the National Health Commission said on Thursday. The country reported 3,030 new symptomatic Covid-19 infections on December 21 , compared with 3,101 a day earlier. Excluding imported infections, China reported 2,966 new local cases, down from 3,049 a day earlier.

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday said there is no need for people of Assam to panic over rising number of Covid cases in China, as there are no positive cases in the state at present. “India's vaccines and those of other nations are much better, but China's vaccines are much weaker, which has led to an outbreak in that country,” he said on the sidelines of a programme here. In India, it is doubtful if there will be a major problem, but “we are sure that the central government will definitely keep a strict watch on the situation,” Sarma said.

Viral infections rise in winter and better care needs to be taken. It is important for people, especially high-risk groups, to protect themselves and take Covid-19 booster dose, said Dr Randeep Guleria on Wednesday. The Medanta Hospital recently announced the appointment of Dr Randeep Guleria as Chairman - Institute of Internal Medicine and Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, and Director - Medical Education.

mid challenge posed by the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in some countries including China, Japan, South Korea, France and United States, Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday chaired a high-level meeting to review the Covid-19 situation in India and preparedness of public health system for surveillance, containment and management of Covid-19. He urged people to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour and get vaccinated against Covid-19.