INDIA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a review meeting on the COVID-19 situation as a fresh scare grip the nation with the emergence of a new variant BF.
Thus, Indian PM Modi held a review meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, and Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, and other top experts to curb preventive measures to fight back against the alarming condition.
The NITI Aayog and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) have also been a part of the meeting, discussing the key factors to help people overcome the situation.
Meanwhile, a combined four cases of this variant have been detected in India (three in Gujarat and one in Odisha). The new variant is more powerful and dangerous.
Currently, China is dealing with the worst condition and suffering loss of lives and a shortage of medical facilities.
As per reports, the XBB variant of the Coronavirus is also being circulated online, and the Health Ministry has advised avoiding making payments and taking it further.
Currently, the Gujarat government made it mandatory for the state to examine every traveller and has updated the officials of the Health Department to be on high alert. On the other hand, the densely populated state of Maharashtra is also on alert. Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis said the government would form a task force to study the current scenario.
Additionally, Health Minister Mandaviya linked the states and Union Territories to buckle up the process, and if any positive samples of COVID-19 new variants pop up, they should keep track.
The Indian government is already prepared for the forthcoming situation, and the Centre has also started random testing of 2% of foreign travellers flying down at international airports.
Reportedly, the Serum Institute of India (SII) is waiting for the Drug Controller General of India’s (DCGI) approval for its Covovax vaccine for people aged 18 years and above who have already taken two doses of Covishield or Covaxin.
However, the DCGI has currently approved Covovax for emergency use in children aged 7 to 11 years.
