Mumbai: We need to mask up and be safe, says Maharashtra Covid task force

The threat of COVID-19 is yet to go as countries such as China, the US, Japan and South Korea are again witnessing a surge. While Mumbai has been reporting cases in single digits, experts said that thermal screening and rapid tests should be started at airports. "The number of tests must go up and we should rethink masking and following other COVID-appropriate behaviours," said Dr Kedar Toraskar, member of the state COVID task force, adding that there was no need for a panic yet.

As this is the holiday season, the officials clarified that there are no restrictions in the gathering of people and travel, since COVID-19 is under control in the city as well as across the state.

Besides China, the US, Japan, South Korea and Brazil have also been reporting a rise in cases.

Visitors enjoy after the COVID-19 curbs were lifted, at the Gateway of India. File pic

"As of now, there is nothing to panic about. We are keeping a close watch on the cases. The situation is very much under control," said Dr Pradeep Awate, surveillance officer for epidemic-prone diseases in Maharashtra.

Also read: Three cases of BF.7 variant found in India so far

Gujarat and Odisha had reported a few cases of Omicron's BF.7 sub-variant, which is driving the surge in China in October. However, Maharashtra has not reported any BF.7 case and there has been no spike in infections generally. Meanwhile, Mumbai has so far reported 145 cases this month.

In November, the daily average of cases was 28 and there were five deaths the entire month in Mumbai. In December, the daily average came down to eight cases and Mumbai reported just one fatality. The city so far has slightly over 36 active cases.
"The sub-variants of Omicron are responsible for the rise in cases. It is said that BF.7, the Omicron sub-variant, is driving the surge in China, but it was already found in parts of India before and it did not create any spurt here. Likewise, BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 are dominating in the US whereas BA.2.75, BA.2 have been found in other countries. But these sub-variants were also detected in India and yet there was no spike in cases," said Dr Awate.

He added, "Every population is genetically different and it deals with the variants differently. There was a surge due to BA.4 and BA.5 in Europe in July, but in India, the variants did not create a huge surge."

The Union health ministry has asked all states to conduct genome-sequencing cases to keep a track of any new variants. Mumbai's latest genome-sequencing test was published in the first week of November, and Omicron's sub-variants were found in all the 234 samples tested.

"Currently, the cases are few, but we are vigilant and closely monitoring the genome testing, which is still happening. The BMC owns a genome testing machine," said Iqbal Singh Chahal, the civic chief.

"Precaution is necessary, but there is no need to panic. We are increasing genome sequencing tests for close surveillance. Currently, there is no need for any restrictions on travelling," said Dr Awate.

8
No. of COVID cases reported in Mumbai on Wednesday