https://sputniknews.in/20221224/should-india-worry-about-covid-bf7-variant--210753.html
Should India Worry About COVID BF.7 Variant?
Should India Worry About COVID BF.7 Variant?
Sputnik India
Delhi has recommended following COVID regulations, such as wearing facemasks in public, maintaining social distancing and reintroducing airport controls due to... 24.12.2022, Sputnik India
2022-12-24T10:00+0530
2022-12-24T10:00+0530
2022-12-24T11:38+0530
political affairs
covid-19
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The Indian government has gone into COVID action mode, taking multiple precautions to prevent the rise in COVID cases. India currently has roughly 3,400 active identified COVID cases, but reports of a COVID surge in China have sparked concerns.In total, India has reported 44.6 million COVID cases, the second highest after the US. However, only four cases of COVID BF.7 - the omicron sub-variant - have been detected since July: three in Gujarat state and one in Odisha.But in view of the upcoming festive season, which may see mass public gatherings, officials in India are now encouraging booster doses. Sputnik spoke with Dr. Viswesvaran Balasubramanian, an interventional pulmonology and sleep medicine consultant from Hyderabad's Yashoda Hospital, to understand more about the virus and if India should be worried about the new variant.Sputnik: There are ten variants of SARS-CoV-2 in India, and BF.7 is the latest. What do we know about BF.7, and how is it different?Dr. Balasubramanian: The COVID BF.7 is a sub-variant of Omicron and is currently being attributed to the spike in cases of active COVID-19 infections in China and parts of Southeast Asia. This virus resembles prior Omicron variants as it is associated with high transmissibility and affects many people quickly. The virus' transmissibility capacity, measured as the R0, is estimated to be approximately 10-18.6. [This means that] Any infected individual can infect 10-18.6 people around them. Since this virus is also associated with a shorter incubation period in hours, it may result in a rapid spread and make containment measures difficult.Sputnik: It is being reported that BF.7 is the fastest-spreading variant. With almost no protocols in place, what precautions should be taken to avoid the spread?Dr Balasubramanian: The protocols for preventing the spread of the current variant remain the same. Social distancing and appropriate use of masks, at least in crowded places and amongst people with underlying immunity like diabetes, chronic kidney patients and others with immunocompromised conditions, are paramount. In addition, completing the booster dose of vaccination, hand hygiene and avoidance of mass modes of transportation can help mitigate the spread of the virus.Sputnik: Seeing the festive seasons and people traveling worldwide. Should we be alert?Dr. Balasubramanian: Yes, with Christmas and the New Year approaching, we can anticipate a surge in cases. So people should adhere to social pandemic norms to curb the spread of infection.Sputnik: Despite successful mass vaccination, there are some misconceptions about the vaccine and booster dose. How do you look at such concerns? Dr. Balasubramanian: The myths about the vaccination are already busted with enough scientific studies. So people should not be influenced by unwanted non-scientific information on a few social media platforms. Vaccination is the only proven effective way to protect ourselves against infection and should be adhered to strictly.Sputnik: Do you think the steps taken by the federal government and various state governments are in the right direction?Dr. Balasubramanian: The government and healthcare agencies are already working hard to take all measures to prevent another surge of infection. But public cooperation is very important, and all due precautions should be taken.
https://sputniknews.in/20221223/indian-govt-approves-first-nasal-vaccine-against-covid-19-201188.html
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Deexa Khanduri
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india, covid, covid cases, china, usa, bf.7 covid variant, omicron,
Should India Worry About COVID BF.7 Variant?
10:00 24.12.2022 (Updated: 11:38 24.12.2022) Deexa Khanduri
Sputnik correspondent
Delhi has recommended following COVID regulations, such as wearing facemasks in public, maintaining social distancing and reintroducing airport controls due to rising COVID-19 cases in neighboring China and globally,
The Indian government has gone into COVID action mode, taking multiple precautions to prevent the rise in COVID cases. India currently has roughly 3,400 active identified COVID cases, but reports of a COVID surge in China have sparked concerns.
In total, India has reported 44.6 million COVID cases, the second highest after the US.
However, only four cases of COVID BF.7 - the omicron sub-variant - have been detected since July: three in Gujarat state and one in Odisha.
But in view of the upcoming festive season, which may see mass public gatherings, officials in India are now encouraging booster doses.
Sputnik spoke with Dr. Viswesvaran Balasubramanian, an interventional pulmonology and sleep medicine consultant from Hyderabad's Yashoda Hospital, to understand more about the virus and if India should be worried about the new variant.
Sputnik: There are ten variants of SARS-CoV-2 in India, and BF.7 is the latest. What do we know about BF.7, and how is it different?
Dr. Balasubramanian: The COVID BF.7 is a sub-variant of Omicron and is currently being attributed to the spike in cases of active COVID-19 infections in China and parts of Southeast Asia.
This virus resembles prior Omicron variants as it is associated with high transmissibility and affects many people quickly. The virus' transmissibility capacity, measured as the R0, is estimated to be approximately 10-18.6.
[This means that] Any infected individual can infect 10-18.6 people around them. Since this virus is also associated with a shorter incubation period in hours, it may
result in a rapid spread and make containment measures difficult.
Sputnik: It is being reported that BF.7 is the fastest-spreading variant. With almost no protocols in place, what precautions should be taken to avoid the spread?
Dr Balasubramanian: The protocols for preventing the spread of the current variant remain the same. Social distancing and appropriate use of masks, at least in crowded places and amongst people with underlying immunity like diabetes, chronic kidney patients and others with immunocompromised conditions, are paramount.
In addition, completing the booster dose of vaccination, hand hygiene and avoidance of mass modes of transportation can help mitigate the spread of the virus.
Sputnik: Seeing the festive seasons and people traveling worldwide. Should we be alert?
Dr. Balasubramanian: Yes, with Christmas and the New Year approaching, we can anticipate a surge in cases. So people should adhere to social pandemic norms to curb the spread of infection.
Sputnik: Despite successful mass vaccination, there are some misconceptions about the vaccine and booster dose. How do you look at such concerns?
Dr. Balasubramanian: The myths about the vaccination are already busted with enough scientific studies. So people should not be influenced by unwanted non-scientific information on a few social media platforms.
Vaccination is the only proven effective way to protect ourselves against infection and should be adhered to strictly.
Sputnik: Do you think the steps taken by the federal government and various state governments are in the right direction?
Dr. Balasubramanian: The government and healthcare agencies are already working hard to take all measures to prevent another surge of infection. But public cooperation is very important, and all due precautions should be taken.
