“While the COVID-19 situation in the country remains stable and public health systems in the country remain geared up, there is need for States to monitor trends of Influenza-like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) cases, and send sufficient samples for testing of COVID-19 while ramping up Whole Genome Sequencing,” P.K. Mishra, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, after chairing a high-level meeting on August 21 to review the global and national COVID-19 situation, newer variants of the virus in circulation, and their public health impact.
He added that India must maintain close watch on new global variants of the virus.
The Health Ministry provided an overview of COVID-19 globally, including newer variants BA.2.86 (Pirola) and EG.5 (Eris), which have been reported globally
