No BF.7 case found in Delhi, says CM Arvind Kejriwal

Arvind Kejriwal, the chief minister of Delhi, stated on Thursday that there is no reason for concern since there are no known cases of the COVID-19 Omicron sub-variant BF.7 in the nation’s capital. Covid instances have increased dramatically in China, Japan, South Korea, France, and the US. The novel Omicron sub-variant BF.7, which has also been found in four Indian states, is being held responsible for the increase.

Addressing the media after the COVID-19 review meeting, the Chief Minister said, “COVID-19 cases are rising in China and several other countries. It has BF.7 variant. We don’t have a single case of that variant in Delhi. So there’s no need to worry.”

He continued by saying that the city’s health department is sequencing the genomes of every positive case that has been reported. Kejriwal said that cases of the XBB strain are being detected in Delhi, nevertheless.

“BR.7 variant was not detected even in sewage samples collected and tested from seven different places in Delhi. 92 per cent of the cases being reported in Delhi are related to the XBB variant or its sub-variants,” he said.

According to the Chief Minister, the Delhi government is completely ready for the newest COVID-19 wave.

“Currently, 2,500 tests are being done every day. Now we have the capacity to conduct over one lakh tests per day and that too can be increased. We have 8,000 beds for Covid in Delhi. Now, we aim to prepare 36,000 beds for Covid.”

The Chief Minister stressed on the shortage of oxygen which was witnessed in 2021 and said that now the city has enough storage capacity as well. “Last time we had an issue with storing oxygen. Now, we have a capacity of storing 928 MT oxygen. We have 6,000 oxygen cylinders in reserve if needed. In 2021, we did not have tankers to procure oxygen from other states. Now, we have 15 tankers to procure oxygen,” he added.

“We have 380 ambulances, we have given orders for procuring more ambulances,” the Chief Minister said.  Kejriwal urged people to take the precautionary dosages since, as of now, just 24% of them had done so.

“First and second doses have been provided to almost 100 per cent of beneficiaries. Only 24 per cent people have taken precaution dose. We request the people to take the precaution dose. During the meeting we discussed another door-to-door campaign to give precaution doses to the people,” said Kejriwal.

On being asked about the face mask, he said, “We are waiting on the guidelines of the Central government. As and when it gives orders we will implement,” said the Delhi CM.

Thursday’s high-level discussion on the state and preparation of the public health response to COVID-19 was presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He emphasised the necessity for heightened monitoring with a focus on genome sequencing and expanded testing.

This high-level review discussion will take place against the backdrop of an increase in COVID-19 instances in various nations, according to the Prime Minister’s Office. PM Modi evaluated the COVID-19 situation in the nation, the readiness of the health infrastructure and logistics, the state of the national vaccination campaign, the appearance of new COVID-19 variations, and their public health consequences for the nation at the high-level meeting.

Four instances of the BF.7 Omicron sub-variant, which is causing the current outbreak of illnesses in China, were reported from India in the past six months. According to sources, there are presently 10 distinct Covid-19 types in the nation, with BF.7 being the newest.