Corona has caused the situation in China to spiral out of control. According to China’s National Health Commission, which was cited by Bloomberg, there were recorded 37 million cases here on Tuesday. However, according to the official statistics, there were only 3000 instances reported on this day. Infected individuals total 24 crore 80 lakh throughout the course of the first 20 days of this month, the research states. 40 lakh Corona patients were discovered in one day earlier in January.
Chinese officials have urged individuals to spend Christmas at home. The kids have been especially told to stay away from congested locations.
Because of the fear of Corona in China, people are not donating blood. The blood banks have been severely short of blood as a result. Regarding this, a red alert has also been issued. There are only 3 days’ worth of blood in the blood banks, according to a report.
Japan is the country reporting the most corona cases after China. Data from Corona worldometers show that 1 lakh 73 thousand new instances had emerged in the previous day. 315 persons have passed away. The eighth wave has landed here, the Japan Times reports. The Omicron variety is responsible for children’s deaths. 41 youngsters have died in the past eight months. Japan’s concern has grown as the situation in China has gotten worse.
In South Korea and France alone, more than 1 lakh 11,000 new cases have been discovered in the previous day. More than 68,000 new cases were reported in South Korea, whereas 43776 cases were reported in France. There have been 63 fatalities in South Korea and 158 in France.
Similar to the BF.7 Corona variety in China, the XBB variant is becoming more common in America. Omicron has undergone a mutation as well. 18.3% of the cases recorded in the nation this week are of the XBB variety, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the American Health Agency. The percentage was 11.2% last week. Singapore is also reporting cases of this variety.
Omicron BF.7 is the new threat:
China is experiencing a spread of Omicron’s new version BF.7. This sub variant of Omicron is the most potent, according to health professionals. The R346T mutation, which is unique to the BF.7 strain of the coronavirus, affects the spike protein. Experts claim that because of this mutation, this variety is immune to antibodies.
Simply put, if a person has received a vaccination or had corona therapy in the past, antibodies are created in his body. The BF.7 variant has the ability to bypass this antibody and enter the body.
Situation in India:
Read more: How the new variants of the covid-19 virus is making it diffiult to eradicate?
The Central Government is on alert due to the danger that Corona poses to the nation. The state governments have received a letter from the Union Health Ministry in the interim. It is stated that country’s corona pace is modest, but we should be ready for the impending struggle in preparation. All of the states have received instructions from the ministry to ensure that there is an adequate supply of oxygen. Ventilators and oxygen supply devices should also be maintained in good working order.
New restrictions
For travellers travelling from China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Thailand, an RT-PCR test will be required, according to Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya. Passengers from these nations will be isolated if they exhibit COVID-19 symptoms or test positive for the virus.
Condition may not be threatening
Former AIIMS director Dr. Randeep Guleria stated that there is no risk of a fresh wave of corona coming to India because people here have hybrid immunity despite the growing threat of corona variant BF.7 in China. He stated that there is no reason to forbid international travel at this time because the situation in India is fine. He claimed that prior experiences demonstrate that halting flights from taking off will not stop the spread of disease.
The result of a person’s natural infection and immunisation is hybrid immunity. The likelihood of significant Corona cases developing and individuals being taken to the hospital is quite low, according to Dr. Guleria, because the population of India has hybrid protection from natural infection and vaccination coverage is strong. According to him, there is little probability of a new breakout because Omicron’s BF.7 sub-variant has been present in India for a considerable amount of time.
More than 200 new corona cases have been recorded in the nation in the previous 24 hours. On Saturday, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reported that 3,397 cases—or 0.01% of all cases—are still active in India. At the moment, the recovery rate is 98.8%. In the past 24 hours, 183 persons have recovered, bringing the total to 4,41,42,791.
Majority population has not taken booster
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However, the Ministry of Health has now released a report on the vaccine. According to reports, 75% of the population has not received the booster dose. In no state has the coverage of booster dosage yet reached 50%. However, more than 40% of people in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Odisha have received booster doses.
Mock drill to take place
On December 27, simulation exercises would be held in all healthcare facilities nationwide (including those that have been identified as COVID-dedicated facilities), according to a letter from Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan to Secretaries (Health) of States and UTs.