‘Wear masks in crowded places, take booster dose’: Appeal after BF.7 drives China’s Covid surge
With BF.7 driving China’s Covid surge, the infection is back in the news after four cases of the highly transmissible Omicron subvariant BF.7 detected in India.
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya told reporters after holding a Covid review meeting: “Covid is not over yet. I have directed all concerned to be alert and strengthen surveillance. We are prepared to manage any situation.” The World Health Organization (WHO) said BF.7 is a shorter term for BA.5.2.1.7 and is the fastest spreading Covid virus.
Congress Lok Sabha MP Manish Tewari tweeted: “Given the alarming Covid-19 situation in China, the Government must suspend all flights to and from China ASAP. Given the spike in the US, Japan, and South Korea and the possibility of a new lethal variant emerging India should consider reintroducing Covid-19 protocols.”
NITI Aayog member (Health) Dr V K Paul on Wednesday advised people to take the jab and wear masks in crowded places. “People should wear masks in crowded areas. Those who have comorbidities or are elderly should especially adhere to this,” he said.
With Covid cases have seen increase in Japan, the US, Republic of Korea, Brazil and China, all States and Union Territories have been directed to ramp up the whole genome sequencing of Covid positive samples to keep track of emerging variants.
