Drills in hospitals across the country from Tuesday as government steps up Covid preparedness

Sources told news agency ANI that, “A mock drill for emergency response to deal with COVID 19 cases will be conducted in hospitals across the country on Tuesday, 27th December. Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will also visit a government hospital for the mock drill.”

India logs 163 fresh cases and 9 deaths

India logged 163 new coronavirus infections, while the active cases declined to 3,380, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday. The death toll stands at 5,30,690 with nine fatalities. The Covid case tally was recorded at 4.46 crore (4,46,76,678).

While six deaths were reconciled by Kerala, two deaths were reported from Maharashtra and one from Delhi in the last 24 hours, the data updated at 8 am stated.

The active cases comprise 0.01 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has increased to 98.80 per cent, the ministry said.

Covid Alert: Statewise list of precautions undertaken to intensify preparations

Covid-19 situation in China has become a source of concern for the world, with researchers predicting a rise in death toll to millions amid fears that new mutants could emerge as a new wave of infections quickly spreads throughout the vast country. Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will also hold a meeting with the health ministers of states and Union Territories today over increasing Covid cases in some parts of the world. Here’s a state-wise list of measures being taken to step up preparations.

Goa govt to hold meeting to discuss COVID-19 preparedness

The Goa government will hold a meeting of various departments on Friday over rising COVID-19 cases in some parts of the world. Talking to reporters on Thursday, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said precautionary measures that need to be taken in view of the spike in coronavirus cases in countries like China will be discussed at the meeting. 

“The meeting will take stock of the situation in Goa,” he said. Due to the upcoming Christmas and New Year celebrations, the coastal state has been witnessing a rise in tourist footfall. State Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Thursday evening took to twitter to request citizens to adopt COVID- appropriate behaviour. 

“In wake of a spike in COVID-19 cases in several countries, we request people to follow appropriate behaviour, including wearing masks and getting vaccinated against the virus if you haven’t,” he said.

BF.7 variant of coronavirus not worrisome for India: senior scientist Rakesh Mishra

Allaying fears about BF.7 variant of coronavirus, a prominent scientist on Friday said it is a sub-variant of Omicron strain and that India need not worry too much about its severity on the population. 

Speaking to news agency PTI, Rakesh Mishra, Director, Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS), Bangalore, however cautioned that wearing face masks and avoiding unnecessary crowds is always advisable. 

The former director of CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology further said China has been witnessing an unprecedented surge in COVID-19 cases as the neighbouring country has not passed through different waves of the infection that India had faced.

“This is a sub-variant of Omicron. Main features will be like Omicron except some small changes, there is no big difference. Most of us have gone through the Omicron wave. So, we don’t have to worry about it. Essentially, it is the same virus,” he said.

BioNTech vaccines for German expatriates in China arrives at German embassy

A shipment of BioNTech vaccines for German nationals in China have arrived at the German embassy in Beijing, an embassy spokesperson told Reuters on Friday.

The vaccines, a batch of 11,500 doses of COVID-19 vaccines arrived late Thursday evening local time at the embassy and will be stored there until the vaccination drive can officially start, the spokesperson said.

The embassy hopes the first doses will be given out “as soon as possible”, the spokesperson said.

COVID: No need to worry, but need to be alert, says Telangana health minster

Telangana Health minister has said that there is no need to worry about COVID-19, but there is a need to be alert. 

While speaking to news agency ANI, the state health minister Harish Rao also advised citizens to take vaccine and also the booster dose. 

“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,” he said.

Meghalaya CM asks people to start wearing masks

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Thursday appealed to the residents to start wearing masks as a precautionary measure. 

There is nothing alarming as of now but we must not take things for granted. During this festive season, the only advice is to wear masks wherever possible, he said.

Covid-19: No curbs on Christmas celebrations, Gangasagar mela, says Bengal CM

West Bengal will not impose any new Covid curbs, especially during the upcoming Christmas celebrations and the Gangasagar mela, chief minister Mamata Banerjee said on Thursday. 

The West Bengal Chief Minister said that the pandemic, which paralysed normal life for long periods of time since it hit the country in March 2020, will be tackled as required if there is any resurgence in the state

Covid: 71% Indians want all flights from China to be shut down, finds survey

As Covid cases surge in China, a recent survey showed that 71% citizens feel that India should shut down flights from China. LocalCircles conducted a pan-India survey which received over 10,000 responses from citizens residing in 301 districts of India. 62% respondents were men while 38% respondents were women. 42% of respondents were from tier 1, 30% from tier 2 and 28% respondents were from tier 3, 4 and rural districts. Read more here

All you need to know about BF.7 sub-variant of Omicron 

Omicron subvariant BF.7 is the one driving the alarming surge in cases in the east Asian country of China.

BF.7 is a sub-lineage of the Omicron variant BA.5 and has the strongest infection ability since it is highly transmissible, has a shorter incubation period, and has a higher capacity to cause reinfection or infect even those vaccinated.

The subvariant has already been detected in several other countries, including the US, the UK and European nations such as Belgium, Germany, France and Denmark.

Karnataka to hold meet to assess Covid-19 preparedness

Speaking on Covid-19 preparedness of Karnataka, amid fear of a possible fourth outbreak in the country, state Health Minister K Sudhakar Rao on Thursday said an emergency meeting has been called under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Basavraj Bommai to discuss the state’s preparedness. According to data from the Union Health Ministry, 131 fresh Covid infections were detected across the country in the last 24 hours while the number of active cases was down to 3,408.

Prepared for COVID-19 says Tripura CM Manik Saha

Tripura CM Manik Saha has said that the state is prepared for COVID-19 but must follow the old advisory. While speaking to news agency ANI, he added, “Oxygen, PPE kits and ventilators are available in the hospital. People know what is to be done. Instructions have also been given to the health department for the same.”

Maharashtra to test international passengers; masks not mandatory but advisable: Health dept

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. A state task force has also been formed to guide the government for expert inputs, while district authorities have been asked to review the situation at their own level through existing committees. 

District administrations and civic bodies have been asked to ramp up testing and every positive RT-PCR swab sample should be sent for genome sequencing to detect any new variant, the health department added. 

Genomic sequencing is a laboratory test that can map out the whole genetic makeup of a virus from a patient’s swab sample. Officials in every district have been directed to ensure that all life-saving equipment like ventilators and oxygen plants are functioning properly, said the statement.

Special arrangements being made at IGIMS Patna amid Covid surge

Amid a fresh global surge in Covid-19 cases, the Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) Hospital in Patna stated on Thursday that it was focusing on making special arrangements for combating the disease. IGIMS superintendent Manish Mandal told ANI, “There is nothing to worry about, as we are better prepared this time. The doctors and staff are more aware of the treatment of Covid patients.” “We can treat 500 people here like we did earlier. We have made all necessary arrangements and the people of Bihar need not fear,” he added.

US prepared to help China with vaccines to control Covid

The US is prepared to help China with vaccines to help address its Covid-19 outbreak, but the government in Beijing hasn’t asked for assistance so far, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.

“We want to see China get this outbreak under control,” Blinken told a press conference. He said the US is worried about the rise of new coronavirus variants and said China’s outbreak has “clear implications for the global economy because of China being shut down on multiple levels.”

India needs to go back to COVID basics, says Dr Anil Goyal of Indian Medical Association

A public health expert from the Indian Medical Association (IMA), on Thursday, assured that the lockdown situation wouldn’t arrive. In a conversation with ANI about the surge in cases, Dr Anil Goyal from the Indian Medical Association said, “India needs to go back to COVID basics – testing, treating, tracing”.

He further assured, “There won’t be a lockdown situation in the country” and added, “since 95% of the people here are vaccinated”. Speaking about the immune system of people, he further stated, “The immunity system of Indians is stronger than that of the Chinese…”

Amid Covid scare, IMA advises citizens to avoid gatherings, international travel

Amid rise in Covid cases in some countries, The Indian Medical Association advised citizens to avoid public gatherings such as marriages, political or social meetings as well as international travel.

In an advisory issued by the IMA, it also appealed the citizens to take COVID-19 vaccines, including the precaution dose.

They also asked the citizens to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour such as using masks in public places and maintaining social-distancing norms to “overcome the impending Covid outbreak”.

According to available reports, nearly 5.37 lakh new cases have been reported in the last 24 hours from countries such as the US, Japan, South Korea, France and Brazil, the IMA said.

All instructions of Union govt to be followed strictly: Haryana Health minister on Covid

Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij on Thursday said the Haryana Government will be abiding by all the instructions given by the Central government when it comes to tackling Covid-19.

“If any guidelines of the central govt comes on Covid, it will be fully implemented,” said the Haryana Health minister.

Talking about the state’s preparedness in tackling Covid, Vij said, “We have equipped ourselves better in the previous three waves of Covid. We have RT-PCR testing facilities in all districts along with a sufficient supply of oxygen in plants. People shouldn’t panic and must follow all guidelines.”

Jan Akrosh Yatra will continue until advisory is issued, says BJP hours after announcing cancellation

Hours after announcing the cancellation of its ‘Jan Akrosh Yatra’ in wake of the global Covid surge and detection of a new Omicron strain in the country, the BJP’s Rajasthan unit on Thursday said the yatra will continue unless an advisory is issued by the Centre and the state.

Rajasthan BJP chief Satish Poonia said while the yatra will continue, necessary Covid precautions will be followed.

Key meeting with health ministers over rising Covid cases today: Mandaviya

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will hold a meeting with the health ministers of states and Union Territories today, Friday, over increasing Covid cases in some parts of the world, according to the news agency PTI. He made a suo motu statement in the Upper House on Thursday on India’s preparedness. “We are constantly monitoring the situation. There are no direct flights between China and India but people come via other routes,” Mandaviya said. Read more here