With increasing infections being reported in China, the Central Government has sent out a new COVID-19 advisory after the BF.7 variant was found in India. The Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday reviewed the situation in the country and asked people to follow COVID-appropriate behavior, including wearing masks in crowded places, and get vaccinated.
Source- Moneycontrol
The IMA also issued a public advisory in which it has outlined necessary steps to overcome “the impending Covid outbreak.” In India, the BF.7 variant has been found in four people so far. Two cases have been found in Gujarat, and two cases from the same variant have been found in Odisha. The health minister of the Union has even asked people to do things that are right for COVID, like wear masks in crowded places and get vaccinated.
During the meeting, attended by experts and senior officials, the minister was briefed on the global COVID-19 situation and the domestic scenario, including the preparedness of all stakeholders. Emphasizing that the pandemic is not over yet, he asked officials to be fully geared up to challenge and step up surveillance. While cautioning that “Covid-19 is not over yet,” Mandaviya asserted the need for continued surveillance. Random sample testing would be conducted at airports for passengers arriving from China and other countries, official sources said.
Amidst this Covid scare and chaos, a WhatsApp message has been making its rounds claiming that the newly discovered XBB subvariant of Omicron is five times more virulent and has a higher mortality rate than the Delta variant. The Union health ministry has flagged this WhatsApp message as fake and misleading. People are advised not to believe it or pass it on.
