Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired an emergency meet to review the coronavirus situation in India. The meeting comes amid alarming surge in cases in various countries across the world, including China, Japan and US.
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan, Dr VK Paul of Niti Aayog were among those present at the meeting via video call. A detailed presentation was presented over Covid preparedness by the Health Secretary.
The meeting comes a day after Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya reviewed the situation and asked people to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour, including wearing masks in crowded places, and getting vaccinated.
India has reported four Covid-19 cases caused by the BF.7 variant, a new sub-variant of the Omicron strain that is driving the rapid surge in infections in China since July. Three cases have been reported from Gujarat and one has been confirmed from Odisha. All four patients were either asymptomatic or had mild symptoms and have now recovered.
Meanwhile, India logged 185 new coronavirus infections, while the active cases declined to 3,402, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Thursday.
The total tally of Covid cases was recorded at 4.46 crore (4,46,76,515). The death toll stands at 5,30,681 with one fatality being reported from Delhi in the last 24 hours, the data updated at 8 am stated.
