<p>union health ministry English news | <p>union health ministry, Latest News & Live Updates in English | English News (Latest English News) at Lokmattimes.com

In view of the emerging new variant of COVID-19 in South Africa, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar called for a meeting on Sunday to discuss the COVID-19 situation in the state.Addressing the reporters today, Pawar, who is also the Guardian Minister for the District of Pune, said, "We held a meeting today with some officials. As compared to previous months, the situation is good here. The situation in Pune is good, but restrictions may be imposed. But at a global level, a different variant (Omicron) is spreading fast in some countries. We are monitoring the situation. Tomorrow, again, a meeting with all district collectors and divisional commissioners is scheduled and will discuss over COVID-19 issue.""To take steps to stop flight operations with South Africa etc, hopefully, a discussion will be held with the Prime Minister soon. Tomorrow, in the meeting, some steps will have to be taken (particularly related to the South Africa variant) to stop the spread from that area/of that variant here," Pawar said.Amid rising concern about a new COVID-19 variant first detected in South Africa, the Union Health Ministry on Thursday directed states to "rigorously' screen and test people travelling from three countries--South Africa, Botswana, and Hong Kong-- where the cases of the variant have been reported.Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan, in a letter on Thursday to health secretaries of all states and Union Territories, said: "lt has now been reported by National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) that multiple cases of a COVID-19 variant B.1.1.529 have been reported in Botswana (3 cases), South Africa (6 cases) and Hong Kong (1 case). This variant is reported to have a significantly high number of mutations, and thus, has serious public health implications for the country, in view of recently relaxed visa restrictions and opening up of international travel.""lt is therefore imperative that ALL international travellers travelling from and transiting through these countries, (they are part of the "at-risk" Country Category of international travellers coming to India) and also including all other 'at risk' countries indicated in the revised guidelines for international arrivals issued by this Ministry dated November 11, 2021, are subjected to rigorous screening and testing, as per MoHFW Guidelines. The contacts of these international travellers must also be closely tracked and tested as per MoHFW guidelines," the letter read.( With inputs from ANI )Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor

<P>Union Health MinistryFOLLOW

<p>union health ministry, Latest News

The Centre's "Har Ghar Dastak" campaign will continue till December 31 with a focus on 100 per cent first dose COVID-19 vaccination, and completing the backlog of second dose vaccination, informed official sources on Tuesday. ...

Bhopal, Nov 29 Concerned over the new Covid-19 variant Omicron Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh ... ...

Kohima, Nov 29 The Hornbill Festival 'fever' has gripped the entire northeastern region with the event's epicentre - ... ...

New Delhi, Nov 28 The Union Health Ministry on Sunday revised the guidelines for the international arrivals in ... ...

Following the emergence of the new COVID variant of concern 'Omicron', the Centre on Sunday advised States/UTs and nodal agencies to keep a strict vigil at airports and ports and focus on enhancing genomic surveillance of incoming passengers from "at ...

The Union Health Ministry on Sunday informed that more than 135 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses have been supplied to the States and Union Territories (UTs) through the Centre (free of cost channel) and through direct state procurement category. ...

As many as 8,774 new COVID-19 cases and 621 deaths were recorded across India in the last 24 hours, the Union Health Ministry informed on Sunday. ...

In view of the emerging new variant of COVID-19 in South Africa, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar called for a meeting on Sunday to discuss the COVID-19 situation in the state. ...