The next 40 days are critical because India may see an increase in Covid cases in January: Health Ministry sources

According to Health Ministry officials, the next 40 days will be critical because India may see a surge in Covid-19 cases in January, based on the pattern of previous outbreaks. The severity of the infection is lower this time, and even if a wave occurs, fatalities and hospitalisations will be very low.

According to health ministry officials, 39 international passengers out of 6,000 tested on arrival in the last two days tested positive for Covid. As per officials, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will visit the Delhi airport to assess testing and screening facilities in the aftermath of a global surge. It should be noted that, as of Saturday, the government has made random Covid testing mandatory for 2% of all international flight passengers.

Internationl passenegers to fill ‘air suvidha’ forms

International passengers arriving from China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Singapore may be required to fill out ‘air suvidha’ forms and undergo a 72-hour prior RT-PCR test beginning next week. In response to an increase in Covid cases in some countries, including China and South Korea, the government has issued an alert and asked states and union territories to be prepared for any scenario.

Meanwhile, mock drills were held at health facilities across India on Tuesday to assess operational readiness to deal with a surge in Covid cases, with Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya stating that the country must remain alert and prepared as cases rise globally.

Notably, Omicron sub-variant BF.7 is responsible for the most recent increase in cases.