Delhi reported just 30 new COVID-19 cases yesterday (File)
New Delhi:
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal called for a meeting of medical and scientific experts on Monday due to “threat from () new Covid variant from African countries”.
These experts will present to the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) to propose steps to protect the national capital from coronavirus strain B.1.1.529, he said.
“In light of the threat from () new COVID-19 variant from African countries, we asked the experts to present to the DDMA on Monday and suggest what steps we should take. We will take action. Take all necessary steps to protect you and your family,” the minister tweeted.
Given the threat of new COVID variant from African countries, we asked the experts to present to DDMA on Monday and suggest what steps we should take. We will take all necessary steps to protect you and your family
– Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 26, 2021
ONE new variant of new coronavirus – listed as B.1.1.529 – was first detected in South Africa and Botswana earlier this week, and has since spread as far as Hong Kong.
This variant has caused red flags for an alarmingly high number of mutations that could make it more resistant to current vaccines, increase transmission and lead to more severe symptoms. .
On Thursday India calls for strict screening of passengers from these countries.
“This variant is reported to have a significantly high number of mutations, and therefore, a serious public health impact on the country, due to the recently relaxed visa restrictions and the opening door to international travel,” a letter from the Union Health Department sent to all states and UTs read.
The new variant has 50 mutations, more than 30 of which are on the mutant protein and 10 of which are on the receptor binding region. Researchers are still trying to confirm what this means for the virus’ ability to transmit and evade vaccines, but health experts have cautioned.
Delhi was one of the hardest hit cities in the country during the peak of the second Covid wave, when hospital beds were hard to find and patients died from lack of oxygen.
Overall, the city has recorded more than 14.4 million cases of the disease, with more than 25,000 deaths related to the virus. The numbers have slowed since then, with just 30 new cases yesterday and 309 active cases.
The country, in general, is reported 10,549 new cases in a 24-hour period, the center said this morning, an increase of 15.6% over the previous period.
With input from PTI
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