Lok Sabha Question No. 928 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-25
Subject: New Variants of Corona virus
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Raja A

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRY OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 928 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.07.2025

## NEWVARIANTS OF CORONAVIRUS

## 928 SHRI RAJA A:

Will the Minister of HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether World Health Organisation (WHO) issued warning during the summer of 2025, that there was sudden increase in corona cases in several countries including India;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether special variants such as Nimbus and XFG are mainly responsible for the spread of new wave of corona and if so, the details thereof; and

(d) the action plan proposed by the Government in this regard including issuing advisories to the State Governments?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a ) to (c) The World Health Organization (WHO) on 28 May 2025, issued a Disease Outbreak News (DON) wherein it highlighted that since mid-February 2025, global SARS-CoV-2 activity had increased, particularly from countries in the Eastern Mediterranean, South-East Asia, and Western Pacific regions, including India. The said report also pointed out that, since early 2025, global SARS-CoV-2 variant trends slightly shifted and reporting of NB.1.8.1 variant (Nimbus) had increased. However, overall increase in COVID-19 was broadly consistent with levels observed during the same period in the previous year.

As per WHO risk assessment, the available evidence on NB.1.8.1 and XFG does not suggest additional public health risks relative to the other currently circulating Omicron descendent lineages. Since mid of June, 2025 the trajectory of COVID-19 cases in the country has declined significantly. As reported by States/UTs, most of the cases were mild in nature and resolved on their own.

(d) . Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on 29 May 2025 issued an advisory to all States/UTs to undertake review of hospital preparedness with special focus on the availability of diagnostics, essential drugs, PPEs, isolation beds, medical oxygen, ICU and ventilator supported beds.

All States/UTs were also requested to closely follow the trend of Influenza Like Illness/ Severe Acute Respiratory Illness while undertaking testing for COVID-19 as per this Ministry's 'Operational Guidelines for Revised Surveillance Strategy in context of COVID-19'. State/UTs were also advised to refer adequate number of samples for whole genomic sequencing.

The Ministry also urged all States/UTs to undertake mock drills to assess preparedness and operational readiness of all health facilities in the country including requisite infrastructure, logistics (including drugs and equipment) as well as healthcare workforce in the country.

With the long-term goal to better prepare our country against public health emergencies, Pradhan Mantri - Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) has been launched with the intent to enhance the capacity of primary, secondary and tertiary health care facilities/systems and institutes for identifying and managing any new and emerging diseases.

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