NEW DELHI : Amid an explosion of covid-19 cases in China and a sharp rise in cases in the US, among other countries, Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday directed state governments to conduct mock drills in all hospitals to ensure that covid-appropriate infrastructure is in place to ward off any threat of a fourth wave.
The recent spike in cases in China is being attributed to the more virulent and contagious Omicron BF.7 variant, which is a sub-lineage of BA.5.
China National Health Commission said the R0, or reproduction rate, of the variant was at 16, indicating a high transmissibility rate.
However, scientists said the BF.7 has been present in India since September-end and, so far, three cases were detected. India has not reported a rise in hospitalizations or deaths due to BF.7.