NEW DELHI, Dec 21, 2022 (BSS) - Amid the sharp rise of coronavirous cases in China, the central government of India has asked all of its states to increase genome sequencing of positive cases to detect the new variants of coronavirous. 

The union health ministry has formally asked states to step up analysis of Covid positive cases and for heightening testing and surveillance at airports as well following the recent wave of coronavirous in China and several other countries, reports said.

"In view of the sudden spurt of cases being witnessed in Japan, the 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 a letter to all states on Tuesday.

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

All positive case samples should be sent every day to INSACOG genome sequencing labs mapped with all states and Union Territories, the Centre said.

However, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has convened a meeting today with senior officials and experts on the Covid-19 situation in the country in light of the spike in cases, according to the reports.

Meanwhile, NK Arora, the chairman of the COVID-19 working group of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI), said that since Indians have what is called "hybrid immunity", there is nothing to panic about. 

In India, we have "an extensively immunised adult population, particularly with very effective vaccines," Arora said. 

"Over 90 per cent of our individuals have also been affected by natural COVID infection. So, the Indian population is immunised with what we call as hybrid immunity," he said and added that genome sequencing is a crucial aspect of keeping a tab on the situation and that the system is "vigilant".

Besides, Former Director of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Dr Randeep Guleria told media that India might not see a similar situation like China and other countries due to high rate of natural infection and vaccine coverage.

Responding to media queries, he said when the pandemic struck, the people had no immunity against the virus that led to severe infection in some people. 

"But, nearly three years into the pandemic, we are in a situation where there has been high natural infection-many people have been infected multiple times and the coverage of vaccine is also high," he added. 

Dr Guleria also said that the immunity of Indian people is robust enough to handle the virus and not let it attack us severely.