The COVID-19 infections caused by a new variant have only shown symptoms of viral fever so far and there is no need to panic, Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Singh said on Monday even as official data showed the city has reported 104 active cases in total.
He said the Government has sent a health advisory to hospitals telling them to be prepared for any eventuality, but it was just a precautionary step and not a sign of alarm. Government hospitals and doctors are “200 per cent preparedâ€, the Minister asserted.
“We have advised hospitals to be ready with beds, oxygen, essential
medicines and equipment, just in case. This is a part of standard preparedness,†he said.
“There is no need to worry. COVID-19 caused by the new variant is similar to a normal viral illness. The patients who have come in so far are experiencing mild symptoms like fever, cough, and cold,†Singh told to media.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event, Chief Minister Rekha Guptasaid, “We have details of the COVID-19 cases. Our hospitals have all the facilities. We have also issued an advisory. We have analysed the scenario and there is no panic situation.â€
Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Dr Rajiv Behl said the severity of infections as of now is generally mild and there was no cause for worry.
Echoing similar reassurance, Singh said the Delhi government’s hospitals, doctors, and medical staff are fully equipped and ready to respond if required.
“There is no cause for concern. Everything is in place. The advisory was issued so that we are prepared, not because there is any emergency,†he added.
Speaking about new Covid variants being traced, he said genome sequencing of samples in the west and south have shown that the new variants are not severe and are Omicron sub-variants. These are LF.7, XFG, JN.1 and NB. 1.8.1.
The first three are more prevalent, Dr Behl said. “Samples from other places are being sequenced and we will know in a day or two if there are more variants.â€
As of May 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) has classified the LF.7 and NB.1.8 subvariants as “Variants Under Monitoringâ€, not as Variants of Concern or Interest.
These variants are reportedly contributing to a rise in COVID-19 cases in China and parts of Asia.
