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.

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.

22/12/2022 20:57:08

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.

22/12/2022 21:14:36

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. 

22/12/2022 18:56:30

High-Level Meeting By PM Modi To Review Covid Situation Concludes

High-level meeting by PM Narendra Modi to review Covid situation has concluded.  

22/12/2022 18:13:52

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."

22/12/2022 17:26:52

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.

22/12/2022 16:55:31

Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai Holds Covid Review Meeting

Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai along with State health minister Dr K Sudhakar holds a review meeting regarding Covid19 situation in the state.

22/12/2022 16:13:12

PM Modi Reviews Covid-19 Situation At High-Level Meeting

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviews the situation related to Covid-19 in the country at a high-level meeting on Thursday.

22/12/2022 15:31:44

No Case Of BF.7 Variant Of Omicron Reported In Delhi, Says Doctor From LNJP Hospital

"No cases of BF.7 variant of Omicron have been reported in the city, we are fully prepared and vigilant. The Centre has instructed to conduct genome sequencing of every case...We have COVID 450 beds, 50 ICU beds and other facilities," Dr Suresh, MD LNJP Hospital, said.

22/12/2022 13:47:22

UP CM Asks Team-9 To Conduct Genome Sequencing Of Every Positive Case

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath asked officials to create awareness about mask usage in crowded and public spaces. He instructed them to conduct genome sequencing of every positive case. Also told them to increase the pace of Covid testing and precautionary doses, news agency ANI reported.

22/12/2022 13:40:56

Indian Medical Association Issues Advisory Amid Global Covid Surge

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) advised people to follow Covid appropriate behaviour with immediate effect. The medical body asked people to avoid international travel and wear masks in all public places.

22/12/2022 13:15:44

No Order To Stop Connecting Flights From China Yet, Say Govt Sources

"We don’t have any direct flights from China to India or from India to China but as of now, there is no such order issued to stop connecting flights to India which is coming via China. MoCA is an executing ministry, the final decision will come from MoHFW," ANI reported citing govt sources.

22/12/2022 13:05:49

DGHS To Review All Delhi-Based Central Government Hospitals On Covid Preparedness

The Directorate General Of Health Services will review all the Delhi-based Central government hospitals on Covid-19 preparedness, ANI reported.

22/12/2022 13:00:25

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Calls Emergency Meeting

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann has called for an emergency meeting of the health officials to review the current coronavirus situation in the state, ANI reported. The meeting will begin shortly at the Chandigarh secretariat.

22/12/2022 11:10:44

Karnataka Will Follow Centre's Recommendations And Guidelines, Says Health Minister Sudhakar

"We've called an emergency meeting today under CM's chairmanship. PM has called a meeting with all health officials & technical committee members. Based on their directions our Govt will also follow all their recommendations & guidelines," Karnataka Health Minister K Sudhakar told ANI

22/12/2022 11:34:58

PM Modi To Review Covid-19 Situation At High-Level Meeting Today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a high-level meeting today afternoon to review the coronavirus situation and related aspects in the country, news agency ANI reported.

22/12/2022 08:11:58

'Things Are Under Control In India, But We Must Be Cautious,' Says Health Expert And Dean Of JJ Hospital Amid China's Covid Surge

"Rise of Covid cases in other countries including China maybe due to poor vaccination, not having good quality vaccine, or being very restrictive. Right now, things are under control in India. But we must be cautious," Pallavi Saple, Dean of JJ Hospital and Health Expert told ANI.