India steps up vigil, genome sequencing as COVID circumstances soar throughout China

By Agencies

NEW DELHI: India’s well being ministry had instructed state authorities on Tuesday to step up genome sequencing of COVID circumstances in view of a “sudden spurt” in circumstances in China and elsewhere.

In a letter seen by AFP, the ministry stated that it’s “essential to gear up the whole genome sequencing of positive case samples” with a view to observe any new variants. Genome sequencing can be utilized to determine and observe COVID variants.

ln view of the sudden spurt of circumstances being witnessed in Japan, USA, Korea, Brazil and China, it’s important to gear up entire genome sequencing of constructive case samples to trace variants by means of the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) community, writes Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan to States and Union Territories.

“All states are requested to ensure that as far as possible samples of all positive cases, on a daily basis, are sent to the designated INSACOG Genome Sequencing Laboratories (IGSLs) that are mapped to the States and UTs,” stated Union Health Secretary.

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will maintain a gathering with senior officers and consultants on the COVID-19 state of affairs within the nation on Wednesday. The bodily assembly will begin at 11:30, sources instructed ANI. He may also evaluate conferences on Covid 19 conditions in different nations.

Cases are hovering throughout China, with crematoriums and hospitals struggling to manage within the wake of the federal government’s sudden choice to elevate years of lockdowns, quarantines and mass testing. The United States has warned the outbreak is now of concern to the remainder of the world, given the potential for additional virus mutations and the dimensions of China.

India, which suffered badly on the peak of the pandemic, has not to this point reported any important rise in circumstances.

India stays ‘vigilant’

Amid the rising COVID circumstances in China, a high Indian well being professional on Tuesday cautioned the individuals whereas asking them to maintain a detailed vigil on the state of affairs within the nation. However, the professional stated that there’s nothing to panic about because the nation’s system is “vigilant.”

The remarks have been made by Dr NK Arora, Chairman of the COVID-19 working group NTAGI.

“It is an important thing that we keep a close vigil on the Chinese situation. But I would say that there is nothing to be panicked about. There is no need for getting too much worried. The system is very vigilant, we need to be very vigilant. As far as genomic surveillance is concerned, this is the most important part we are doing genomic surveillance of individuals with symptoms,” he stated.

Exuding confidence in India’s preparedness to deal with the COVID state of affairs, the professional stated that the nation can take acceptable motion in case of the emergence of a brand new sub-variant.

“We are also doing surveillance from sewage and from hospitalised individuals and even those who are coming to international airports. A certain proportion of samples is picked up randomly from them also, in case there is a new sub-variant or anything, which is of concern is picked up promptly, appropriate action can be taken,” Dr Arora stated.

“So overall we find that the situation in India is under control. But we need to maintain vigilance, particularly for surveillance,” he added.

Dr Arora additionally stated that the precise state of affairs of COVID in China continues to be unclear.

“China was following so-called Zero COVID policies and as we learn from media recently they have relaxed this policy and after that, we are hearing that there is widespread COVID infection in that community with associated severe disease and deaths also. But what is the exact situation we really do not know,” he stated.

ALSO READ | Facing surge in COVID-19 circumstances, China expands hospitals, ICUs

According to the professional, vaccination and hybrid immunity can be useful in defending individuals in India from COVID.

“As far as India is concerned, there are three or four things which we need to keep in mind. One is that India has an extensively immunised adult population, particularly with very effective vaccines. In addition, there are several data which indicate that over 90 per cent of our individuals have also been affected by natural COVID infection. So, the Indian population is immunised with what we call hybrid immunity. Third thing is that the INSACOG data shows that almost every sub-variant of Omicron which is found anywhere else in the world is also found in India. So, there are not many sub-variants which are not circulating here,” an professional stated.

Meanwhile, the final Covid-19 fatality in Beijing, which was seeing hundreds of Covid constructive circumstances earlier than the revocation of the Zero Covid coverage was on November 23.

After it, China stopped reporting asymptomatic sufferers which is a significant a part of the Covid tally. The nation additionally scrapped the as soon as frequent Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing equipment and as an alternative used speedy antigen kits that are identified to be a bit of inaccurate. This identified that the info was altered or stood meaningless, in accordance with The Straits Times. 

(With inputs from AFP, ANI)

NEW DELHI: India’s well being ministry had instructed state authorities on Tuesday to step up genome sequencing of COVID circumstances in view of a “sudden spurt” in circumstances in China and elsewhere.

In a letter seen by AFP, the ministry stated that it’s “essential to gear up the whole genome sequencing of positive case samples” with a view to observe any new variants. Genome sequencing can be utilized to determine and observe COVID variants.

ln view of the sudden spurt of circumstances being witnessed in Japan, USA, Korea, Brazil and China, it’s important to gear up entire genome sequencing of constructive case samples to trace variants by means of the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) community, writes Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan to States and Union Territories.

“All states are requested to ensure that as far as possible samples of all positive cases, on a daily basis, are sent to the designated INSACOG Genome Sequencing Laboratories (IGSLs) that are mapped to the States and UTs,” stated Union Health Secretary.

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will maintain a gathering with senior officers and consultants on the COVID-19 state of affairs within the nation on Wednesday. The bodily assembly will begin at 11:30, sources instructed ANI. He may also evaluate conferences on Covid 19 conditions in different nations.

Cases are hovering throughout China, with crematoriums and hospitals struggling to manage within the wake of the federal government’s sudden choice to elevate years of lockdowns, quarantines and mass testing. The United States has warned the outbreak is now of concern to the remainder of the world, given the potential for additional virus mutations and the dimensions of China.

India, which suffered badly on the peak of the pandemic, has not to this point reported any important rise in circumstances.

India stays ‘vigilant’

Amid the rising COVID circumstances in China, a high Indian well being professional on Tuesday cautioned the individuals whereas asking them to maintain a detailed vigil on the state of affairs within the nation. However, the professional stated that there’s nothing to panic about because the nation’s system is “vigilant.”

The remarks have been made by Dr NK Arora, Chairman of the COVID-19 working group NTAGI.

“It is an important thing that we keep a close vigil on the Chinese situation. But I would say that there is nothing to be panicked about. There is no need for getting too much worried. The system is very vigilant, we need to be very vigilant. As far as genomic surveillance is concerned, this is the most important part we are doing genomic surveillance of individuals with symptoms,” he stated.

Exuding confidence in India’s preparedness to deal with the COVID state of affairs, the professional stated that the nation can take acceptable motion in case of the emergence of a brand new sub-variant.

“We are also doing surveillance from sewage and from hospitalised individuals and even those who are coming to international airports. A certain proportion of samples is picked up randomly from them also, in case there is a new sub-variant or anything, which is of concern is picked up promptly, appropriate action can be taken,” Dr Arora stated.

“So overall we find that the situation in India is under control. But we need to maintain vigilance, particularly for surveillance,” he added.

Dr Arora additionally stated that the precise state of affairs of COVID in China continues to be unclear.

“China was following so-called Zero COVID policies and as we learn from media recently they have relaxed this policy and after that, we are hearing that there is widespread COVID infection in that community with associated severe disease and deaths also. But what is the exact situation we really do not know,” he stated.

ALSO READ | Facing surge in COVID-19 circumstances, China expands hospitals, ICUs

According to the professional, vaccination and hybrid immunity can be useful in defending individuals in India from COVID.

“As far as India is concerned, there are three or four things which we need to keep in mind. One is that India has an extensively immunised adult population, particularly with very effective vaccines. In addition, there are several data which indicate that over 90 per cent of our individuals have also been affected by natural COVID infection. So, the Indian population is immunised with what we call hybrid immunity. Third thing is that the INSACOG data shows that almost every sub-variant of Omicron which is found anywhere else in the world is also found in India. So, there are not many sub-variants which are not circulating here,” an professional stated.

Meanwhile, the final Covid-19 fatality in Beijing, which was seeing hundreds of Covid constructive circumstances earlier than the revocation of the Zero Covid coverage was on November 23.

After it, China stopped reporting asymptomatic sufferers which is a significant a part of the Covid tally. The nation additionally scrapped the as soon as frequent Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing equipment and as an alternative used speedy antigen kits that are identified to be a bit of inaccurate. This identified that the info was altered or stood meaningless, in accordance with The Straits Times. 

(With inputs from AFP, ANI)