Latest news with #SunitaSharma
News18
7 hours ago
- Health
- News18
XFG: What Is The New Covid Variant Detected In India Amid Rising Cases? Explained
Last Updated: Amid this surge, the new variant of the SARS-CoV-2 was detected with as many as 163 cases reported so far, of which the most are from Maharashtra at 89 India recorded a total of 6,815 active coronavirus cases with three deaths in the last 24 hours. Amid this surge, XFG – a new variant of the SARS-CoV-2 – was detected with as many as 163 cases reported so far. According to data from the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), the XFG variant has been found in a total of 163 samples – highest (89) in Maharashtra, followed by Tamil Nadu (16), Kerala (15), Gujarat (11), and Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal (six each). A RECOMBINANT VARIANT: WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? An article in Lancet stated that the recombinant XFG variant harbours four key spike mutations and has achieved rapid global spread following its initial detection in Canada. Data shows that in May, as many as 159 samples were detected with the XFG variant while two samples were tested for this variant in April and two in June. It is essentially the result of two earlier strains — LF.7 and LP.8.1.2 — merging together. A recombinant variant like XFG emerges when someone is infected with two different versions of the virus at the same time, allowing it to 'mix and match" its genetic code. The Lancet study points out that this variant shows 'strong immune evasion". WHAT IS THE CENTRE DOING? According to the Union health ministry data released on June 8, Kerala continues to be the most affected state, followed by Gujarat, West Bengal and Delhi. Official sources have said due to the rising cases, the Centre is conducting mock drills to check facility-level preparedness and has instructed all states to ensure availability of oxygen, isolation beds, ventilators, and essential medicines. They maintained that most cases are mild and managed under home care. Since January this year, 65 deaths have been reported in the country. There were a total of 257 active patients in the country on May 22. A series of technical review meetings were held on June 2 and 3 under the chairpersonship of Dr Sunita Sharma, Director General of Health Services, to evaluate the Covid situation and preparedness measures. Representatives from the Disaster Management Cell, Emergency Management Response Cell, National Centre for Disease Control, Indian Council of Medical Research, Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, central government hospitals in Delhi, and all states and Union Territories were part of the meeting. State and district surveillance units under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme are closely monitoring Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI). 'Testing is recommended for all admitted SARI cases and 5 per cent of ILI cases as per guidelines, and positive SARI samples are sent for Whole Genome Sequencing through the ICMR VRDL network, " an official source said. First Published: June 10, 2025, 19:34 IST
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
Bengal CM holds meeting with officials of various departments amid rising cases of COVID, advices citizens to remain cautious
Howrah: Amid rising COVID cases, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee held a meeting with senior officials of every department and adviced citizens to remain cautious and not to get panicked. She said that all facilities were available in government hospitals. CM Mamata Banerjee said, "We are hoping that the pandemic won't be repeated. We have conducted a meeting today with senior officials of every department, including Panchayat, Urban, Municipalities, DME, DHS, Health Department, MSME, Police Department, Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, and Kolkata Corporation. We have to be careful. There is no need to panic. We have to be prepared. Those who have comorbidities should consult the doctor. Government is always standing with them. Try to get treatment in a government hospital. It will not cost much. All the facilities are available in the government hospital. Now, the anti-COVID-19 vaccine is available. Everyone is vaccinated. We did the meeting to be cautious in future." She further said that the situation is not severe at this point. "There are 4 to 5 thousand cases in the country. This is a kind of influenza," she added. Another health expert present said that this was a subvariant of the omicron virus, and this was not a variant of concern. "It was like a normal cough and cold and the wave would be over soon," he said. According to the Union Health Ministry's data, 59 deaths have been reported since January 1, 2025. States have been instructed to ensure oxygen availability, isolation beds, ventilators, and essential medicines. Given the recent increase in COVID-19 cases in India, a series of technical review meetings were held on June 2 and 3 with various representatives under the chairpersonship of Dr Sunita Sharma, Director General of Health Services (DGHS). According to an official statement, the representatives include Disaster Management Cell, Emergency Management Response (EMR) Cell, National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and Central Government Hospitals in Delhi and with representatives from all States and UTs to evaluate the current COVID-19 situation and preparedness measures.
India Gazette
a day ago
- Health
- India Gazette
Bengal CM holds meeting with officials of various departments amid rising cases of COVID, advices citizens to remain cautious
Howrah (West Bengal) [India], June 9 (ANI): Amid rising COVID cases, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee held a meeting with senior officials of every department and adviced citizens to remain cautious and not to get panicked. She said that all facilities were available in government hospitals. CM Mamata Banerjee said, 'We are hoping that the pandemic won't be repeated. We have conducted a meeting today with senior officials of every department, including Panchayat, Urban, Municipalities, DME, DHS, Health Department, MSME, Police Department, Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, and Kolkata Corporation. We have to be careful. There is no need to panic. We have to be prepared. Those who have comorbidities should consult the doctor. Government is always standing with them. Try to get treatment in a government hospital. It will not cost much. All the facilities are available in the government hospital. Now, the anti-COVID-19 vaccine is available. Everyone is vaccinated. We did the meeting to be cautious in future.' She further said that the situation is not severe at this point. 'There are 4 to 5 thousand cases in the country. This is a kind of influenza,' she added. Another health expert present said that this was a subvariant of the omicron virus, and this was not a variant of concern. 'It was like a normal cough and cold and the wave would be over soon,' he said. According to the Union Health Ministry's data, 59 deaths have been reported since January 1, 2025. States have been instructed to ensure oxygen availability, isolation beds, ventilators, and essential medicines. Given the recent increase in COVID-19 cases in India, a series of technical review meetings were held on June 2 and 3 with various representatives under the chairpersonship of Dr Sunita Sharma, Director General of Health Services (DGHS). According to an official statement, the representatives include Disaster Management Cell, Emergency Management Response (EMR) Cell, National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and Central Government Hospitals in Delhi and with representatives from all States and UTs to evaluate the current COVID-19 situation and preparedness measures. (ANI)
News18
a day ago
- Health
- News18
Covid-19 India Update: Gujarat Reports 158 New Cases, Country's Active Infection Count Near 6,500
Last Updated: India reported 358 new Covid-19 cases, with Gujarat recording the highest at 158. Kerala has the highest overall active cases at 1,957. India reported 358 Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, taking the country's total active infections to 6,491. With 158 cases, Gujarat recorded the highest number of fresh infections among all states and union territories, followed by Karnataka (57), West Bengal (54), Delhi (42), and Tamil Nadu (25). According to data released by the Union Health Ministry on Monday, Kerala has reported the highest overall number of Covid-19 cases (1,957), followed by Gujarat (980), West Bengal (747), Delhi (728), Maharashtra (607), and Karnataka (423). Most Covid Cases Mild Due to the rising Covid-19 cases, the Centre is conducting mock drills to check facility-level preparedness and has instructed all states to ensure availability of oxygen, isolation beds, ventilators, and essential medicines, official sources had said. Official sources have maintained that most cases are mild and managed under home care. A series of technical review meetings were held on June 2 and 3 under the chairpersonship of Dr Sunita Sharma, Director General of Health Services, to evaluate the Covid situation and preparedness measures. Representatives from the Disaster Management Cell, Emergency Management Response Cell, National Centre for Disease Control, Indian Council of Medical Research, Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, central government hospitals in Delhi, and all states and Union Territories were part of the meeting. 'Testing is recommended for all admitted SARI cases and 5 per cent of ILI cases as per guidelines, and positive SARI samples are sent for Whole Genome Sequencing through the ICMR VRDL network, " an official source said. Covid-19 Surge As of June 2025, Covid-19 continues to pose a global health challenge, with a noticeable uptick in cases reported across several regions. According to the World Health Organization, over 150,000 new Covid-19 cases were recorded in 90 countries between April 21 and May 18, 2025—an increase compared to the previous 28-day period. Test positivity rates have climbed to 11 per cent in 73 countries, reaching levels last seen in July 2024. The surge is most pronounced in the Eastern Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, and Western Pacific regions, largely driven by emerging variants such as NB.1.8.1. (With PTI inputs) First Published: June 09, 2025, 14:25 IST
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
6 more deaths tied to Covid take India toll since January to 65
NEW DELHI: Six more Covid-related deaths were reported in the last 24 hours, the Union health ministry said on Sunday. The country's total Covid count has crossed the 6,000-mark, with 769 fresh cases being reported in the last 48 hours, revealed data released by the ministry. Kerala continues to be the most affected state, followed by Gujarat, West Bengal and Delhi. In all, there are 6,133 active Covid cases in the country. With the latest casualties, the Covid death toll since Jan has gone up to 65. Maharashtra has recorded the maximum fatalities (18), followed by Kerala (15) and Delhi (7). Due to the rising number of cases, Centre is conducting mock drills to check facility-level preparedness and has instructed all states to ensure availability of oxygen, isolation beds, ventilators, and essential medicines, official sources said. However, most cases are mild and are being managed under home care, they stressed. A series of technical review meetings were held on June 2 and 3, under the chairpersonship of director general of health services (DGHS) Dr Sunita Sharma, with representatives of Disaster Management Cell, Emergency Management Response Cell, National Centre for Disease Control, Indian Council of Medical Research, Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, and central govt hospitals in Delhi and with representatives of states and UTs to evaluate the situation and preparedness measures.
