Covid Not Over But Prepared For Anything: Health Minister Mandaviya As Centre Asks To Ramp Up Genome Sequencing

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday said the Covid-19 is not over but the govrnment is prepared for any situation.

In the wake of surge in Covid-19 cases in China and other countries, Mandaviya held a meeting on Wednesday to review the Indian Covid-19 situation. 

The meeting comes a day after the Union Health Ministry wrote to all the states and Union territories (UTs) and asked them to increase genome sequencing of positive samples so that any new coronavirus variant could be identified at the earliest.

"Covid not over yet. We have directed all concerned to be alert and strengthen surveillance. We are prepared to manage any situation," said Mandaviya after the meeting, as per PTI.

The Covid-19 review comes in the wake of spurt in cases in some countries such as China, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, China and the US, official sources said. 

Days after the easing of the Covid-19 restrictions, China is witnessing a sudden surge in Covid cases. Beijing, gripped by the fastest spreading Omicron variant of the coronavirus, reported two more COVID-19 deaths on Monday as the virus struck the majority of the city’s 21.54 million people, including foreign diplomatic missions, mounting massive pressure on health facilities.

Here's all you need to know:

1. The minister will review the COVID-19 situation at 11:30 am on Wednesday "considering the international scenario"

2. The secretaries of health, Ayush, department of pharmaceuticals and department of biotechnology, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Director General Rajiv Bahl, Member (Health) of NITI Aayog V K Paul and National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) Chairman N L Arora and other senior officials will attend the meeting.

3. Meanwhile, the Health Ministry on Tuesday urged all states and Union territories to ramp up the whole genome sequencing of positive samples to keep track of newer variants.

4. In a letter to states and UTs, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said such an exercise will enable timely detection of newer variants, if any, circulating in the country and will facilitate the undertaking of requisite public health measures.

5. He highlighted that India with its focus on the five-fold strategy of test-track-treat-vaccination and adherence to Covid-appropriate behaviour has been able to restrict the transmission of the coronavirus and is having around 1,200 cases on a weekly basis.

6. Public health challenges of ovid-19 still persists around the world with around 35 lakh cases being reported weekly, Bhushan said.

7. "In view of the sudden spurt of cases being witnessed in Japan, the United States of America, the Republic of Korea, Brazil and China, it is essential to gear up the whole genome sequencing of positive case samples to track the variants through Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) network," he said.

8. "In this context, all states are requested to ensure that as far as possible samples of all positive cases, on a daily basis, are sent to the designated INSACOG Genome Laboratories that are mapped to states and UTs," he added. 

9. Meanwhile, epidemiologists estimate that over the next few days more than 60 per cent of China's population and 10 per cent of Earth's population would likely to get infected by Covid-19 and this would be just the "start". 

10. According to health officials, Chinese cities are currently hit by highly transmissible Omicron strains mainly BA.5.2 and BF.7, which are spreading like wildfire.

(with PTI inputs)