Centre cautions states to track Covid variants through genome sequencing, Health Minister to hold review meeting tomorrow

The Health Ministry has written to all states to increase genome sequencing of positive cases.

"ln view of the sudden spurt of cases being witnessed in Japan, United States of America, Republic of Korea, Brazil and China, it is essential to gear up the whole genome sequencing of positive case samples to track the variants through...INSACOG network," Health Ministry Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said in the letter to all states.

"Such an exercise will enable timely detection of newer variants, if any, circulating in the country and will facilitate the undertaking of requisite public health measures for the same," Bhushan said.

According to reports, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will hold a meeting with senior officials and experts on the Covid-19 situation in the country on Wednesday.

The meeting will start at 11:30 AM, ANI reported quoting sources.

Mandaviya is expected to review the situation of other countries.

The Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium, or INSACOG, is a consortium of over 50 laboratories to monitor genomic variations in the COVID-19 virus.

Around 35 lakh Covid cases continue to be reported every week globally, the Centre said. India recorded 112 new Covid cases this morning; active cases fell to 3,490, according to Health Ministry data.