India May See COVID Wave In January: Report

New Delhi: India is on alert in the wake of an explosion of COVID-19 cases in countries like China, Korea and Japan, with the Central government putting in place measures like mandatory testing for passengers flying into international airports in India from these nations.

Though some experts have said that India need not worry or panic about a fresh coronavirus wave triggered by the BF.7 subvariant of Omicron, PTI quoted Health Ministry sources as saying that India might see a surge in COVID-19 cases in January.

A person infected with the BF.7 subvariant can transmit the virus to 16 persons.

Citing the pattern of previous outbreaks, they said that the next 40 days will be crucial.

“Previously, it has been noticed that a new wave of COVID-19 hits India around 30-35 days after it hits East Asia…. This has been a trend,” an official told PTI.

If that’s a cause for concern, the reassuring prediction is that severity of the infection will be less, and even if there is a fresh COVID wave, deaths and hospitalisation will be very low.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya have held meetings to assess India’s preparedness to deal with a possible surge in coronavirus infections.