After facing the shock of over 5,00,000 deaths during the previous COVID-19 era, is India equipped enough to face the new wave of the pandemic? The new challenge is knocking at the door with 1828 cases of the new COVID-19 variant.
The surge is rapid as there were only 257 active cases on May 19, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Kerala has reported a total of 727 cases as of today.
India had recorded two new covid variants, both under World Health Organisation (WHO) monitoring. As of now, the WHO classifies both LF.7 and NB.1.8 as Variants Under Monitoring, and not under Variants of Concern or Variants of Interest.
The Union Health Secretary, on Saturday, reviewed the national situation. It noticed that the cases have mainly been reported from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. The ministry states that most of the cases are mild and under home care.
Seeing the new variant spread, some states have issued the guidelines. Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Kerala, Haryana and some others are the few to name included in the forerunners.
Meanwhile, Punjab Health Minister had stated, “No need to panic about COVID-19 in Punjab. The new variant is generally mild, and no new cases have been reported to date in Punjab. We are actively testing, and our healthcare system is fully prepared and equipped. Stay vigilant, stay safe.”
Haryana Health and Family Welfare Minister Arti Singh Rao on 22th May assured citizens that the state is fully prepared and there is no cause for worry.
Speaking to the media the minister emphasized that only four mild cases are currently active in Haryana—two in Gurugram and two in Faridabad. None of the cases have international travel history, and all patients are under home quarantine with stable health conditions.
Rao said, “The number of cases is low and rare, and there is no need to panic. Oxygen supplies and hospital beds are available. The state is fully prepared to handle the situation. Just remember to follow basic precautions: wash your hands regularly and wear a mask when you’re outdoors.”
