An evaluation of the COVID-19 situation was being held by Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya in light of the recent spike in cases in other nations, particularly China.
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The Union Health Minister highlighted the difficulty presented by the rising number of COVID-19 cases in some nations around the world, including China, Japan, South Korea, France, and the United States. He emphasized the need to be ready and remain vigilant against new and emerging strains of COVID-19, especially in light of the impending holiday season. He issued a directive instructing the officials to be fully prepared and step up surveillance, underscoring and repeating that COVID is still ongoing. He urged individuals to adopt COVID Appropriate Behavior and receive a COVID vaccination.
The meeting, presided over by Health Minister Mandaviya, was held in Delhi and was attended by a number of medical specialists and renowned authorities on health and welfare.
The domestic and international COVID-19 situations were explained to the Union Health Minister. After being briefed on the worldwide and domestic covid-19 situations, the minister urged staff to be fully prepared and to intensify surveillance, emphasizing that the epidemic is far from ending. He encouraged individuals to follow COVID guidelines and get vaccinated.
What all topics were covered in the meeting
The Union Health Minister was informed that there has been a steady decrease in instances across India, with the average daily cases falling to 158 in the week ending December 19, 2022. The number of daily average cases reported globally has been steadily increasing over the past six weeks, with 5.9 lakh instances reported in the week ending December 19, 2022. The Omicron variant’s novel and extremely contagious BF.7 strain has been identified as the source of an extensive rise in COVID infections in China.
Improvement of surveillance
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya gave the order to improve the surveillance system for whole genome sequencing of positive case samples in order to track variants through the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) network and ensure prompt detection of any newer variants that may be present in the nation. This would make it easier to implement suitable public health initiatives. In order to track novel variations, if any, States/UTs have been asked to provide samples from all COVID-19-positive cases to INSACOG Genome Sequencing Laboratories (IGSLs) on a daily basis for sequencing.
Commented on Bharat Jodo Yatra
Concerned about the spread of Covid in India, Mansukh Mandaviya wrote to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot about Covid standards in the party’s Bharat Jodo Yatra.Mandaviya stated that Covid recommendations should be properly followed during the yatra, as well as the use of masks and sanitizers.
Release of guidelines
In order to identify and contain outbreaks of new SARS-CoV-2 variants, the Union Health Ministry has already released “Operational Guidelines for Revised Surveillance Strategy in the context of COVID-19” in June 2022. These guidelines call for early detection, isolation, testing, and prompt management of suspected and confirmed cases. The Union Health Minister gave instructions to staff to make sure the plan was carried out successfully.
So far, three instances of the Omicron sub-variant BF.7, which appears to be the strain driving China’s current rise of Covid cases, have been identified in India. The Omicron variation BA.5 sub-lineage BF.7 has the strongest infection ability. It is highly transmissible, has a shorter incubation time, and has a greater capacity to reinfect or infect even people who have been vaccinated.
Gujarat Biotechnology Research Center discovered the first case of BF.7 in India in October. According to the study, two cases have been reported from Gujarat and one from Odisha.
Dr. Vinod Kumar Paul, a Member of Health at NITI Aayog, issued an appeal to the nation’s citizens to wear masks both inside and outside of buildings after the Union Health Minister met with other experts and officials. He also ordered them to receive the preventive dose of the COVID-19 vaccination.
“If you’re in a crowded area, whether inside or outside, wear a mask. For those who have comorbid conditions or are older, this is very crucial,” he said. Only 27–28% of the population has taken the precautionary dose. We urge people to exercise caution, especially the elderly. Everyone is required to use the precautionary dose.
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