No cause of worry, infection severity mild: ICMR DG amid COVID surge
New Delhi: Amid a spike in Covid cases in some parts of the country, Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Dr Rajiv Behl on Monday said the severity of infections is mild and there was no cause for worry.
Speaking about new Covid variants being traced, he said genome sequencing of samples in the west and south have shown that the new variants are not severe and are Omicron sub-variants. These are LF.7, XFG, JN.1 and NB. 1.8.1.
The first three are more prevalent, he said. "Samples from other places are being sequenced and we will know in a day or two if there are more variants," he said, news agency PTI reported.
Also Read:Delhi hospitals asked to prepare for beds, oxygen and vaccines amid rising COVID-19 cases
The ICMR DG said there has been an uptick in cases - first from the south, then west and now from northern India. All cases are being monitored through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme.
"People do not need to take any immediate action. They should follow normal precautions."
Asked about the need for a booster dose, he said there is no need for vaccination as of now. "India has the capability to make vaccines and if need be, we can make any vaccine in no time," he added, reports PTI.
Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the Delhi government has issued an advisory directing all hospitals to ensure preparedness for the availability of beds, oxygen, medicines, and vaccines amid a recent surge in COVID-19 cases in various parts of the country. The advisory urged all health institutions to send positive samples for genome sequencing to Lok Nayak Hospital to facilitate early detection of any new variants.
"In view of the recent increase in COVID-19 cases, it is reiterated that all medical directors, medical superintendents, administrators of all government and private hospitals should ensure hospital preparedness in terms of availability of beds, oxygen, antibiotics and other drugs and vaccines", it said.
Also Read:Fresh COVID-19 cases reported in Kerala, Gujarat, Haryana
