PM Narendra Modi Holds High-Level Covid Review Meeting As Cases Surge In China And Other Countries

Modi's meeting comes a day after Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya held a high-level meeting for the same purpose.

So far, the Union government has asked the states and the Union territories (UTs) to increase genome sequencing and enforce Covid-appropriate behaviour among other measures. It has also started random sampling for international arrivals at airports.

On Thursday, some of those present in Modi's meeting were:

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah
• Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya
• Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia
• Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba
• NITI Ayog CEO Parameswaran Iyer

The series of high-level meetings are a result of surge in Covid-19 infections in China and other countries such as the United States and Korea. In China, the current surge is caused by BF.7 Omicron sub-variant. At least three cases of the strain has been detected in India as well.?

Earlier in Lok Sabha, Mandaviya said the continuously evolving nature of coronavirus poses threat to global health. He added that the threat from the ever-evolving coronavirus impacts virtually every country.

Mandaviya said India has been reporting 153 new cases on an average every day as against 5.87 lakh on a daily basis across the world.

"In view of upcoming festivals and new year celebrations, states also need to focus on ensuring effective awareness within the community on adherence to Covid-appropriate behaviour which includes use of masks, hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene practices, besides following physical distancing," said Mandaviya, adding that states have been advised to focus on heightened surveillance within the community and to undertake requisite control and containment measures.

(With PTI inputs)