PM Modi to review Covid situation today amid new Omicron variant scare

New Delhi: Prime Minister Modi will review the Covid situation in the nation today amid fears of another wave of infections looming over the world.

The top level review meeting comes after four cases of BF.7 variant of Omicron, which is responsible for the health crisis in China, were found in the nation, India Today reported.

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday urged people to wear mask in crowded places as well as following Covid-appropriate behaviour.

Sources reportedly said passengers arriving from China and other countries will have to undergo random sample testing with reports from China confirming a grievous situation there.

The central government on Tuesday directed states and union territories to intensify genome sequencing of positive samples to keep track of emerging variants.

The government has intensified vigil just as nations including Japan, South Korea, Brazil, China, and the US are facing a spike in number of Covid cases, after a brief spell of normal life.

Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan wrote to the states and UTs saying that genome sequencing will help detecting newer variants timely.

China has long been under waves after waves of outbreak of Covid infections even during the strict Zero Covid policy.

Frequent lockdowns and other restrictions forced people to clamour for freedom with hundreds coming out on the streets of Beijing and other places demanding a rollback of restrictions.

Following the public outrage, the government relaxed norms which eventually has given rise to outbreak of infections.