India gave a report of three new Omron sub-versions; Center lays great emphasis on monitoring points of entries
Reported that alarm bells started ringing even before the festival, after new Omicron sub-versions were detected
in India on 18 October, Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting to review
and advise officials. Instructed to concentrate more. First Omicron sub-variant BQ.1 detected in Maharashtra,
71 cases of XBB confirmed on Tuesday Combination of two Omicron sub-variant BJ.1 and Ba.2.75 has increased the number
of COVID cases in Singapore. Gujarat reported BF.7 Omicron sub-version, the US, UK and several European countries
had a high rise in Covid-19 cases. Mandaviya discussed the emergence of Omicron variants which are witnessing
witnessing huge growth in many countries, emphasizing the great need for monitoring the points of entry.
New variants detected in Maharashtra, the state's Covid-19 cases increased by around 17.17 per cent on October 10-16 as
compared to October 3 and 9. It was told that the increase in the cases of Kovid is being seen especially in the densely
populated Thane, Raigad. In Mumbai, triggering this concern is the virus can spread very fast during festival time.
It was informed that Mandaviya stressed the great need to conduct adequate testing (with effective COVID-19 surveillance of
RT PCR) to quickly assess and control the spread of the infection. He urged the officials to closely monitor the hospitalizations
due to COVID-19 and urged them to speed up the vaccination including precautionary doses to the eligible beneficiaries.
The Minister highlighted the greater need for community awareness for the continued implementation of
the continued implementation of COVID Appropriate Practices (CAB) especially in view of the festive season.