India records 1,200 new infections every week, while the whole world is registering 3.5 million cases per week

Reviewing the Covid-19 situation in India amid a sharp spike in cases in China and several other countries, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday directed officials to stay alert and step up surveillance.

Taking to Twitter, he wrote, "In view of the rising cases of #Covid19 in some countries, reviewed the situation with experts and officials today. COVID is not over yet. I have directed all concerned to be alert and strengthen surveillance. We are prepared to manage any situation."

According to Health Ministry figures, currently, India is registering about 1,200 new infections every week. However, in the whole world, 3.5 million cases are being reported each week. As of now, India has already administered more than 2.2 billion doses of the Covid-19 vaccination.

On Tuesday, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had sent a letter to States and Union Territories citing the COVID-19 situation in the USA, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, and China.

Through the letter, Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan requested all States and Union Territories (UTs) to hear up the genome sequencing of positive case samples to track the variants through the SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) network.

Additionally, it has been recommended that the states ensure that as far as possible, the COVID-19-positive samples are sent to the authorized INSACOG Genome Sequencing Laboratories (IGSLs) that are mapped to the States and UTs. According to the Health Secretary, such an exercise will enable the timely detection of newer variants, if any, circulating in the country.

This will also facilitate undertaking of requisite public health measures for the same, the letter added.