Ramp Up Covid-19 Testing, Keep Close Watch On New Global Variants: Centre Tells States

In the meeting, Mishra asked states to ramp up covid-19 testing, whole genome sequencing and keep close watch on new global variants of Coronavirus.

Representational Image.

Source : PTI

Amidst detection of certain newer variants of coronavirus, Dr. P.K. Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, chaired a high-level meeting on Monday to review the status of the public health response to COVID-19. In the meeting, Mishra asked states to ramp up covid-19 testing, whole genome sequencing and keep close watch on new global variants of Coronavirus, according to a press statement issued by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. 

Following the deliberations, Mishra stated that while the Covid situation in the country remains stable and public health systems remain prepared, states must monitor trends of influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) cases, according to an official statement.

"An overview of the global COVID-19 situation was given by Secretary (Health) including certain newer variants of SARS-CoV-2 virus like BA.2.86 (Pirola) and EG.5 (Eris), which have been reported globally. He underlined that as per World Health Organization (WHO), while EG.5 (Eris) has been reported from over 50 countries, the variant BA.2.86 (Pirola) is in four countries," reads the official press statement. 

"It was highlighted that while globally a total of 2,96,219 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in the past 7 days, India which contributes to nearly 17% of global population, has reported only 223 cases (0.075% of global new cases) in the past week. He added that the daily average of new COVID-19 cases continues to be below 50 from the entire country and the country has managed to maintain weekly test positivity rate of less than 0.2%. An overview of the Genome Sequencing of different variants circulating in India was also provided," the statement further reads. 

The meeting was attended by NITI Aayog member Dr. Vinod Paul, Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba, PMO's Advisor Amit Khare, Secretary of Health and Family Welfare Sudhansh Pant, Secretary of DHR and DG ICMR Rajiv Bahl, Secretary of Biotechnology Rajesh S. Gokhale, and Additional Secretary to PM Punya Salila Srivastava.