PM Modi’s meeting amid growing global concern over new ‘Worry Variant’ Omicron
New Delhi:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is chairing a meeting on the status of COVID-19 and vaccination in the country, which is attended by top government officials.
The meeting came amid concerns about B.1.1.1.529 strain of coronavirus, Changed omicron It has been red flagged by the World Health Organization for a number of mutations that can make it more resistant to vaccines, increase transmission efficiency and lead to more severe symptoms.
The variant – first found in South Africa this week, and since being reported from Botswana, Hong Kong, Israel and Belgium – is believed to have 50 mutations, including more than 30 on the spike protein and 10 on the receptor binding domain Huh.
The spike protein is the target of most current COVID-19 vaccines and is what the virus uses to unlock access to our body’s cells. Researchers are still trying to confirm whether this makes it more transmissible or lethal than earlier variants, and if existing vaccines can protect against the strain.
The WHO has tagged Omicron as a ‘type of concern’, placing it globally as the dominant delta, along with its weaker rivals alpha, beta and gamma.
B.1.1.529 variant may be more infectious than the delta variant flowing into India (File)
Last night the government said scheduled international Passenger flights to and from India can be normal, but only for countries that have not been deemed ‘at risk’ by the Ministry of Health.
South Africa, Botswana, Israel and Hong Kong are on the ‘at risk’ list as of Thursday night, meaning only 75 percent of scheduled passenger flights will be allowed until further notice.
On Thursday, India called for stricter screening of travelers from South Africa, Botswana and Hong Kong, and the health ministry said: “Thus… serious public health impact In view of the recent easing of visa restrictions and opening up of international travel.”
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom, Singapore and Israel have halted flights from South Africa, Botswana and four other African countries. Germany and Italy have also banned most travel from South Africa, news agency AFP said. South Africa has criticized these decisions as “hasty”.
India has called for stricter screening of travelers from South Africa, Botswana and Hong Kong (File)
The United States has also imposed travel restrictions on seven southern African countries. Namibia, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi and Mozambique are on the list, as are South Africa and Botswana.
NS However, the WHO has cautioned countries against imposing immediate travel restrictions., calling for a “risk-based and scientific approach”. Dr Maria van Kerkhove, the WHO’s COVID-19 technical lead, also this week underscored the importance of ensuring full immunization.
Unlike many European countries – notably Germany, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic and Hungary, which are posting record daily cases – India has seen a decline in the number of COVID-19 cases.
The seven-day moving average of new cases was below 10,000 this morning – the lowest since June last year, and active cases – currently a little over 1.1 lakh – have continued to decline.
However, the emergence of a new and potentially more infectious strain has raised concerns about another dangerous third wave of infections in the country.
Immunization coverage in India is still not as high as in some other countries. Till this morning 120.3 crore doses have been given, of which only 426 crore are second doses.
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