Evolving Omicron sub-variant 'may be fatal for brain'? PIB calls claims misleading

As COVID-19 cases are rising in some countries, including China, re is an upsurge in misinformation. Recently, a few news reports claimed that coronavirus is evolving to attack brain.

reports, citing research, h claimed that Omicron sub-variant is shifting from infecting respiratory system to targeting brain.

PIB calls it misleing

However, government dismissed claim. Press Information Bureau's (PIB's) fact check handle said that claim is misleing. 

"Some news reports are speculating that evolving Omicron sub-variant ‘may be fatal for brain’. This claim is MISLEING. relevance to humans has not been proven by study referred to in news report," PIB tweeted.

study was conducted on mice. research showed increased pathogenicity in mice with rapid weight loss, brain infection and encephalitis. However, it should be noted that it does not apply to human beings. World Health Organization (WHO) has said that pathogenicity of Omicron variants has not increased.

Negative COVID report mandatory even for flyers to India transiting through China, 5 or nations

A negative COVID-19 report is mandatory for passengers transiting through China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand and South Korea, irrespective of ir originating countries, before landing in India. It should be mentioned that negative RT-PCR report is for people from se aforementioned countries.

RT-PCR test must be conducted by passengers arriving in India within 72 hours of undertaking journey and report has to be uploed on Air Suvidha website before ir departure.

"This is being done to ensure that genome sequencing of any positive case is promptly done to understand strength and behaviour of any new variants," Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya stated. He stressed importance of staying alert against emerging strains of coronavirus infection.

Amid a spike in COVID cases in countries such as China, Japan, Thailand, United States and South Korea, Centre has sounded an alert, tightening COVID-19 guidelines and asked states and Union territories to be rey for any eventuality. 

According to data released by Health Ministry on Monday morning, India recorded 173 fresh COVID-19 in last 24 hours, taking total active cases to 2,670. 207 people also recovered during same period.