Prime Minister Narendra Modi will review the situation related to Covid-19 in the country at a high-level meeting Thursday afternoon, officials said.
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.
Official sources have said random sample testing will be done at airports for international passengers arriving from China and other countries.
There has been a sudden spurt in Covid cases in China and some other countries.
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya held meeting yesterday
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday said the Covid-19 pandemic is not over and instructed officials to be alert and increase surveillance.
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In the wake of Covid-19 surge in China and other countries, Mandaviya on Wednesday held a meeting to review the Covid-19 situation in India. The meeting followed the Union Home Ministry's directive to states and Union territories (UTs) asking them to increase genome sequencing of Covid-19 positive samples so that any new coronavirus variant is identified at the earliest.
Following Covid-19 review meeting, Mandaviya said the government is "prepared to manage any situation".
The Covid-19 review meeting was prompted by the rise of Covid-19 infections in China and a number of countries.
Besides China whose healthcare system is being overwhelmed by an unprecedented surge, Covid-19 cases are also rising in the United States, South Korea, Brazil, and China.
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In the backdrop of this, the Union Health Ministry has asked all the states and UTs to increase genome sequencing of positive samples to catch any new coronavirus variant. Notably, earlier surges were driven by new variants, with India's deadly second wave being driven by Delta Variant and the later surge being driven by highly infectious Omicron Variant.
In a letter to states and UTs, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said improved genome sequencing of positive samples will enable timely detection of newer variants, if any, circulating in the country and will facilitate undertaking of requisite public health measures.
(With PTI Inputs)
