New Delhi: In India, COVID-19 cases are rising. In recent weeks, a rise in COVID-19 cases across India has led several states to implement precautionary measures and issue guidelines to help prevent the spread of new Omicron subvariants. These variants were identified through genome sequencing conducted primarily in the western and southern parts of India.
Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research, Rajiv Behl, told PTI that the increase in infections is being driven by subvariants of Omicron that are less severe. Rajiv Behl stated that four subvariants of Omicron, LF.7, XFG, JN.1, and NB.1.8.1, have been identified. The first three have been found in more cases; we have been closely monitoring the situation. At this moment, overall, we should remain vigilant, but there is no cause for concern.
Meanwhile, on Friday, Union Minister of State for Health and AYUSH Prataprao Jadhav assured the public that the central government is fully prepared to manage any potential situation. They have also mentioned that Both our Central Health Department and the AYUSH Ministry are fully alert and closely monitoring the situation across all states. We have spoken with the respective Health and AYUSH Secretaries, as well as other concerned ministers. Jadhav also highlighted that the infrastructure developed during the previous COVID-19 waves had been reassessed, and preparations are already in motion.
In response to the growing number of COVID-19 cases in Karnataka, the Department of Health and Family Welfare Services appealed to the public on Saturday to remain calm and alert and cooperate with health authorities to curb the spread and maintain safety.
On May 23, the Delhi government issued an advisory asking hospitals to ensure they are prepared with sufficient beds, oxygen, medications, and vaccines to deal with the rising number of COVID-19 cases.
In Odisha, Health Secretary Aswthy S addressed the public on Saturday, asking them not to panic and confirming that all COVID patients in the state are stable. In Arunachal Pradesh, state surveillance officer Lobsang Jampa urged residents to remain calm, saying the detached strain appears milder than past variants.
He also mentioned that a comprehensive health advisory would be released soon in coordination with the National Centre for Disease Control in Delhi.
