Prime Minister Modi has urged Indian citizens to wear masks

Reiterating that Covid is not over yet, PM Modi advised states to audit COVID-specific facilities to ensure operational readiness of hospital infrastructure, including oxygen cylinders, PSA plants, ventilators, and human resources.
The new variant BF.7 of the novel coronavirus, which is believed to be linked to the surge in COVID cases in China, has been detected in some parts of India.Here are some key updates on the COVID-19 situation across the country:Covid News LIVE Updates: No Pandemic Curbs in Goa Till Jan 2; Center Warns Against Overcrowding Ahead of the Festive SeasonPM Modi warns against pandemic complacency and calls for increased COVID testing at a high-level meeting.PM Modi also urged that precautionary dosing be encouraged, particularly for vulnerable and elderly groups, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
 Source: Business TodayStates have been asked to share a larger number of samples with the designated INSACOG Genome Sequencing Laboratories (lGSLs) for genome sequencing on a daily basis, the PMO said. PM Modi has directed officials to strengthen existing security measures, particularly at international airports.The government announced today that beginning December 24, a certain number of passengers arriving on international flights will be subjected to random coronavirus testing.The Union Health Ministry has written to the Civil Aviation Ministry in this regard. A sub-section of 2 percent of the total passengers in the flight shall undergo random post-arrival testing at the airport on arrival, an official communication said, adding that the number of such travellers in each flight shall be determined by the airlines concerned and preferably from different countries.Earlier in the day, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya made a statement in Parliament and said India has started a 2 percent random sampling of international travellers coming to the country and may consider making it mandatory for all if necessary. In his statement, he said that in recent days there have been reports of a rise in COVID-19 cases in many countries, such as China, Japan, South Korea, the US, France, Greece, and Italy.Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said the new Omicron sub-variant BF.7 of COVID-19 has not been detected in the national capital so far, and his government is ready to tackle any eventuality if it arises. Addressing a press conference, Kejriwal said the dominant sub-variant in Delhi is XBB, which has been detected in 92 percent of the samples till now.In Delhi, at the moment, 2,500 tests are being conducted, and these can be increased to one lakh if there is a surge in COVID cases. We have 8,000 beds ready for COVID patients. At its peak, we had prepared 25,000 beds, but the bed capacity can be increased to 36,000. The government has also widened the scope of testing, and those with SARS and breathing issues are being compulsorily tested using the RT-PCR method, Kejriwal said.Health authorities in Uttar Pradesh have begun screening visitors at the Taj Mahal and other monuments, focusing their efforts mainly on foreign tourists. An official told news agency PTI that the goal is to contain the new BF.7 sub-variant. Mainly tourists from the US, China, Japan, Brazil, and Europe are being screened and their samples collected at tourism sites, including the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and Akbaru2019s Tomb.The Kerala government has decided to conduct whole genome sequencing on more samples to identify different COVID-19 variants. Genomic surveillance using whole-genome sequencing of viruses will be conducted to track different COVID variants, it said in a statement. The health department directed the districts to send such samples for genetic testing at designated labs for each district and to report accurately if any new variants are identified so that prevention activities can be strengthened accordingly.Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed the health department to launch a campaign to distribute COVID vaccine booster doses in order to effectively control the pandemic.He asked officials of the department to start holding camps to administer booster doses to people on Friday. Awareness about the importance of the booster dose should be created, and people should be encouraged to get themselves vaccinated. If fresh cases are reported, send the samples for genome sequencing, he said.The Rajasthan Health Department has directed the Chief Medical and Health Officers of all districts to start screening, genome sampling, and identifying high-risk groups. Health Secretary Dr. Prithvi has already issued orders to all collectors to ensure genome sequencing of all COVID-positive samples to detect the new BF.7 sub-variant.What do feel about this? Let us know in the comment section.