2 Covid Cases in AP over Past Month, Variant Not of Concern: Nadda

He said three deaths were reported from YSR Kadapa district, with all the patients having co-morbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease and chronic alcoholism.

He said genomic sequencing by the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, found that COVID-19 positive samples from Kadapa district predominantly showed circulation of the RF.5 sub-lineage of the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2.

“This sub-lineage is not classified by the WHO as a variant of concern (VOC), Variant of Interest (VOI), or Variant Under Monitoring (VUM),” he told the Rajya Sabha.

The minister said the Union Health Ministry continues to closely monitor Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI), including COVID-19, through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme-Integrated Health Information Platform (IDSP-IHIP).

He said any increasing trend in such diseases is investigated by Rapid Response Teams (RRTs). The Indian Council of Medical Research’s Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDLs) network also conducts laboratory-based surveillance for major respiratory pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2, to monitor laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases along with other respiratory infections, he added.

Nadda said health is a state subject and the Centre provides technical and financial support to states and Union territories to strengthen preparedness and response capacities against epidemic-prone communicable diseases, including COVID-19.

In view of the ongoing influenza season, all states and UTs have been advised to intensify ILI and SARI surveillance, ensure adequate diagnostics and personal protective equipment, undertake hospital surge planning, and strengthen the capacity of clinical and laboratory personnel through regular review meetings.