Coronavirus HIGHLIGHTS: If At All Covid Spreads, We Are Fully Prepared To Deal With It, Says Kejriwal
Coronavirus HIGHLIGHTS: Follow this page for all the coronavirus updates from India and around the world.
LIVE
Background
Coronavirus HIGHLIGHTS: Hello and welcome to ABP Live. Follow ABP Live's Covid blog to get the latest developments, breaking news, latest update, and other developing stories across the country and abroad.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will convene an emergency meeting on Thursday amid a sudden spurt in Covid cases in several countries, PTI reported. The Delhi government is keeping a watch on the COVID-19 situation and the chief minister has directed the health department to ensure genome sequencing of samples and take other steps needed to meet any eventuality.
"Delhi government is alert. CM Kejriwal has called an emergency meeting regarding coronavirus tomorrow," an official said on Wednesday.
Amid a spike in COVID-19 cases in Japan, South Korea, Brazil, China and the US, the central government had on Tuesday urged all states and Union territories to gear up the whole genome sequencing of positive samples to keep track of emerging variants.
Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya chaired a Covid review meeting with experts and senior officials, asserting the need for continued surveillance. "Covid is not over yet. I have directed all concerned to be alert and strengthen surveillance. We are prepared to manage any situation," the minister said.
With Christmas and New Year festivities around the corner, state governments have been asked to step up efforts to curb any possible Covid spread as India brought back random testing at airports for international passengers.
The government said random sample testing would be conducted at airports for passengers arriving from China and other countries.
The move came amid growing concerns over the spread of Covid in China following the recent easing of strict lockdown measures. Hospitals and medical facilities in China have been overwhelmed with patients.
One epidemiologist has projected that 60 per cent of the country's population could end up being infected over the course of the next few months.
Covid Tests To Be Conducted On 2% Passengers Of Flights On Arrival At Airports: Ministry Of Civil Aviation
Ministry of Civil Aviation to ensure 2% of the total passengers in a flight undergo Covid tests at the airport on arrival and the passengers identified by the airline will be allowed to leave the airport after giving their samples. Samples testing positive will be sent for genome sequencing.
Will Reiterate Five-Point Programme, Thermal Screening At Airports: Maharashtra Home Minister
"We will reiterate five point programme (test, track, treat, vaccinate and ensure COVID-appropriate behaviour), random thermal screening of 2% of passengers at the airport. A total of 95% of vaccination has been done in Maharashtra, no need to panic. Mask is not mandatory...Instructions have been given to all local authorities to conduct review meetings," Maharashtra Home Minister Tanaji Sawant said.
High-Level Meeting By PM Modi To Review Covid Situation Concludes
High-level meeting by PM Narendra Modi to review Covid situation has concluded.
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal Addresses Public On Covid Situation, Requests People To Take Booster Dose
"Covid cases are rising in China and several other countries. It has BF.7 variant. We don't have a single case of that variant in Delhi. So there's no need to worry. We are doing genome sequencing. Currently, XBB variant cases are coming in Delhi," Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said, adding, "We have 8,000 beds for Covid in Delhi. Now, we aim to prepare 36,000 beds pertaining to Covid. We have a storage capacity of 928 mt tonne oxygen in Delhi."
He further added, "Only 24% people have taken precaution dose, we request the people to take precaution dose. We have 380 ambulances, we have given orders for procuring more ambulances. We are waiting on the guidelines of Central govt, as and when it gives orders we will implement."
Himachal Pradesh: Free Covid Precautionary Dose For 18 Years And Above From Dec 23-28
"Free Covid19 'Precautionary dose' for 18 years and above will be given at Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Hospital and Indira Gandhi Medical College between 10am and 4pm from 23rd December to 28th December," Chief Medical Officer, District Shimla, said.