By Reuters Staff
Men walk past a mural of frontline workers amid the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Mumbai, India, December 21, 2020. REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas
MUMBAI (Reuters) – Indias health authorities remain vigilant and prepared to deal with a new more transmissible strain of the coronavirus identified in Britain, the countrys health minister said on Monday, adding that there was no need to panic.
India has recorded the worlds second highest number of infections and breached the 10 million case milestone over the weekend. More than 145,000 people have died from COVID-19.
If you ask me, there is no reason for such panic, Indias Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said at a press briefing in New Delhi.
A government committee tasked with monitoring the pandemic met on Monday to discuss the new strain, an official said. But it was unclear whether India would halt flights to Britain, one of 23 countries that it shares an air bubble with.
Dont entangle yourself in this imaginary situation, imaginary talk, imaginary panic, Vardhan said. The government is completely vigilant.read more
No need to panic over new UK coronavirus strain, says India’s health minister – Reuters
