Keeping close eye on new Covid variants, union health min tells Parliament

Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya said the states have been asked to step up genome sequencing and they should impose masking norms. He added that random sampling of foreign travellers has started at airports.

Updated on: Dec 22, 2022, 14:34:36 IST

By HT News Desk | Written by Aryan Prakash

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Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday said the Centre is keeping a close eye on new Covid-19 variants, this amid massive surge in infections in China.

Speaking in both houses of Parliament, the minister said the states have been asked to step up genome sequencing and they should impose masking norms.

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya speaks in the Lok Sabha during the Winter Session of Parliament, in New Delhi

“We are keeping an eye on the global covid situation & are taking steps accordingly. States are advised to increase genome-sequencing to timely identify the new variant of Covid-19”, the minister said.

Noting that the Covid-19 virus is constantly evolving, Mandaviya said the health ministry is proactive in managing the pandemic and has provided financial assistance to the states in their fight against the contagious virus.

“So far, 220 cr covid vaccine shots have been given”, the minister said.

“From the last few days, Covid cases have been rising in the world but in India, cases are depleting. We are seeing rising Covid cases & deaths due to it in China”, he told the House.

The minister said random RT-PCR sampling among passengers arriving at international airports in the country has started.

Mandaviya's statement in Lok Sabha comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's high-level meeting on the Covid-19 situation in the country. The PM will hold the meeting at 3.30 pm.

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