In response to the identification of new coronavirus variants worldwide, the Indian government convened a high-level meeting on Monday, urging states to enhance whole genome sequencing of positive samples and closely monitor the global variants.
Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Dr. P K Mishra, emphasized the need for states to observe trends in influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) cases, while assuring that the COVID-19 situation in the country remains stable and public health systems are prepared.
Dr. Mishra stressed the importance of submitting ample samples for COVID-19 testing, scaling up whole genome sequencing, and staying vigilant regarding emerging global variants.
Health Secretary Sudhansh Pant presented a comprehensive overview of the global COVID-19 situation, including newer variants such as BA.2.86 (Pirola) and EG.5 (Eris) of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, both reported globally.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), EG.5 (Eris) has been found in over 50 countries, while variant BA.2.86 (Pirola) has been identified in four countries.
Despite 296,219 new global COVID-19 cases in the past week, India, representing nearly 17% of the global population, accounted for only 223 cases (0.075% of global new cases).
The health secretary pointed out that India’s daily average of new COVID-19 cases remains below 50, and the weekly test positivity rate stays under 0.2%.
Additionally, an overview of the genome sequencing of various variants circulating within India was presented.
The high-level meeting, convened to assess the global and national COVID-19 situation, as well as the impact of newer circulating variants on public health, was attended by various officials, including Dr. Vinod Paul from NITI Aayog, Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba, Advisor to PMO Amit Khare, DG of ICMR Rajiv Bahl, Secretary of Biotechnology Rajesh S Gokhale, and Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister Punya Salila Srivastava.
