Editor's Pick: COVID-19 pandemic is far from over, warns PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday conducted a high-level review meeting of officials to discuss the COVID situation in the country and cautioned that the pandemic is far from over. During the meeting, the Prime Minister directed officials to increase whole genome sequencing of COVID positive samples using the designated INSACOG laboratories. INSACOG is the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium, and the sequencing will support tracking of and quick response to any new and emerging variants. India has seen a spike in influenza cases and a rise in new COVID cases in the past two weeks. Officials at the meeting urged that COVID-appropriate behaviour be put in place in hospitals. Preparedness of health infrastructure and logistics, status of the vaccination campaign, emergence of new COVID-19 variants and influenza types and their public health implications for the country were also discussed at the meeting. The XBB.1.16 recombinant lineage of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been seen to be circulating predominantly in India. It was first detected in SARS-CoV-2 sequences from India, and is a descendent of the XBB lineage. The earliest sequence of this lineage belongs to a viral genome isolated in New York in January 2023. Although data from systematic genomic surveillance in India is limited, XBB.1.16 today accounts for more than 30% of all the sequenced genomes in March 2023, and its proportion has been seen to be increasing in the past few weeks, to become the major lineage in some States. Prime Minister Modi directed officials at the meeting to follow up with States and ensure effective monitoring of all cases of influenza-like illnesses (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illnesses (SARI), with testing for influenza, SARS-CoV-2 and adenovirus. On the other hand, States have been advised to continue focusing on the five-fold strategy of Test-Track-Treat-Vaccination and COVID-appropriate behaviour, enhance lab surveillance and testing of all SARI cases. The Hindu’s Editorials Abolition is the way: On the higher judiciary’s move on the death penalty Final solution: On giving earth a chance to escape climate change effects The Hindu’s Daily News Quiz The Khuman Lampak Stadium, which is set to host a tri-nation football tournament, is in which State? Meghalaya Manipur Nagaland West Bengal To know the answer and to take the quiz, click here. [logo] Editor's Pick 23 March 2023 [The Hindu logo] In the Editor's Pick newsletter, The Hindu explains why a story was important enough to be carried on the front page of today's edition of our newspaper. [Arrow]( [Open in browser]( [Mail icon]( [More newsletters]( COVID-19 pandemic is far from over, warns Prime Minister Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday conducted a high-level review meeting of officials to discuss [the COVID situation in the country]( and cautioned that the pandemic is far from over. During the meeting, the Prime Minister directed officials to increase whole genome sequencing of COVID positive samples using the designated INSACOG laboratories. INSACOG is the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium, and the sequencing will support tracking of and quick response to any new and emerging variants. India has seen a spike in influenza cases and a rise in new COVID cases in the past two weeks. Officials at the meeting urged that COVID-appropriate behaviour be put in place in hospitals. Preparedness of health infrastructure and logistics, status of the vaccination campaign, emergence of new COVID-19 variants and influenza types and their public health implications for the country were also discussed at the meeting. The [XBB.1.16 recombinant lineage of the SARS-CoV-2 virus]( has been seen to be circulating predominantly in India. It was first detected in SARS-CoV-2 sequences from India, and is a descendent of the XBB lineage. The earliest sequence of this lineage belongs to a viral genome isolated in New York in January 2023. Although data from systematic genomic surveillance in India is limited, XBB.1.16 today accounts for more than 30% of all the sequenced genomes in March 2023, and its proportion has been seen to be increasing in the past few weeks, to become the major lineage in some States. Prime Minister Modi directed officials at the meeting to follow up with States and ensure effective monitoring of all cases of influenza-like illnesses (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illnesses (SARI), with testing for influenza, SARS-CoV-2 and adenovirus. On the other hand, States have been advised to continue focusing on the five-fold strategy of Test-Track-Treat-Vaccination and COVID-appropriate behaviour, enhance lab surveillance and testing of all SARI cases. The Hindu’s Editorials [Arrow][Abolition is the way: On the higher judiciary’s move on the death penalty]( [Arrow][Final solution: On giving earth a chance to escape climate change effects]( The Hindu’s Daily News Quiz The Khuman Lampak Stadium, which is set to host a tri-nation football tournament, is in which State? - Meghalaya - Manipur - Nagaland - West Bengal To know the answer and to take the quiz, [click here.]( Are you a book lover looking for your next literary adventure? Look no further than “The Hindu On Books” weekly newsletter! We scour the shelves to bring you the best new releases and hidden gems in all genres. With in-depth book reviews and recommendations, you can trust that you will find your next literary love here. Sign up now and discover your next favorite book!" [Subscribe Now!]( Today's Best Reads [[Rahul Gandhi gets two years imprisonment in defamation case filed in Surat, granted bail] Rahul Gandhi gets two years imprisonment in defamation case filed in Surat, granted bail]( [[New bill aims to outlaw caste discrimination in California] New bill aims to outlaw caste discrimination in California]( [[BJP appoints new State chiefs for Delhi, Bihar and Rajasthan] BJP appoints new State chiefs for Delhi, Bihar and Rajasthan]( [[Scientists working on tracking COVID, dengue through sewage surveillance] Scientists working on tracking COVID, dengue through sewage surveillance]( Copyright @ 2023, THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD. If you are facing any trouble in viewing this newsletter, please [try here]( If you do not wish to receive such emails [go here](