"BF.7 is the sub-variant of Omicron. Its cases have increased in some countries including China, South Korea, Japan, Brazil and the USA since last week. There are four cases of BF.7 in India from Odisha and Gujarat which are the cases of the previous month. No cases of the BF.7 variant of Omicron have been reported in the city so far. The cases are negligible. We are vigilant regarding this new variant. The Centre has instructed to conduct genome sequencing of every case," Dr Suresh told.
Four cases of the strain have been reported in Gujarat and Odisha since then, but it has not led to an increase in severity or infectiousness of the disease.
India's health minister has called for a return to Covid-appropriate behavior, including wearing masks in public, as the country steps up surveillance of cases.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday said that there is no need to panic as the national capital does not have a single case of the COVID-19 Omicron sub-variant BF.7.