Covid BF.7 preparedness in India: All you need to know

Central and various state governments are gearing up for tackling the spread of COVID variant BF.7. Number of active cases of the coronavirus in India rose to 3,424 on December 15, leading several states to increase their testing infrastructure and issue recommendations for the public to prevent the spread of the virus. During a review meeting with states on December 24, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on states and union territories to take action to prevent the spread of the COVID variant BF.7. In response, several states have implemented measures or are preparing new guidelines for the public to follow.

Delhi: Arvind Kejriwal, CM said that officials will visit all government hospitals on December 26 to assess their preparedness to handle any situation. Amit Singla, Secretary, Health, Delhi Government, presided over a gathering of all DMs to review the preparedness.



UP: The Uttar Pradesh government has made COVID-19 testing mandatory for those visiting the Taj Mahal and other popular locations in the state, and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered officials to sequence the genomes of new cases and remind the public to wear masks, get vaccinated, and follow other safety measures.

Bihar: In Bihar, the state government is conducting 40,000 to 50,000 tests to check for coronavirus infection, and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has declared the state to be on high alert.

Maharashtra: In Maharashtra, the state government has announced a five-point plan to combat the recent increase in COVID-19 cases, including testing, tracking, treating, vaccinating, and promoting COVID-appropriate behaviour. Random airport thermal screening of travellers will also be conducted.

Karnataka: Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has urged caution and assured the public that his administration is taking all necessary precautions, including improving the coverage of the booster dose.

Rajasthan: In Rajasthan, the Health Department has issued a directive for Chief Medical and Health Officers in districts to conduct random sampling at bus stops, railway stations, markets, schools, and other crowded areas to identify high-risk populations and screen for COVID-19 through door-to-door surveys and suspected patients in hospital outpatient departments.

FAQ:

1. Is COVID BF.7 detected in India?
   Yes, 4 cases of the new variant called COVID BF.7. have been detected in India as of December 22.
2. Is COVID BF.7 dangerous?
   While COVID is on decline in India, the exact impact of BF.7. is not yet known.