In view of the recent reports of the detection of certain newer variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus reported globally, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Dr. P. K. Mishra today chaired a high-level meeting to review the global and national COVID-19 situation. An overview of the global COVID-19 situation was given by Secretary, Health including certain newer variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. He underlined that as per World Health Organization, while EG.5 (Eris) has been reported from over 50 countries, and the variant BA.2.86 (Pirola) is in four countries. During the meeting, it was highlighted that globally a total of over two lakh 96 thousand new cases of COVID-19 were reported in the past seven days. In India, only 223 cases have been reported in the past week. He added that the daily average of new COVID-19 cases continues to be below 50 in the entire country.
 
After detailed deliberations, Dr. P. K. Mishra highlighted that the COVID-19 situation in the country remains stable, and public health systems in the country remain geared up. He stressed that there is a need for States to monitor trends of influenza-like illnesses and severe acute respiratory infections cases, send sufficient samples for testing of COVID-19, and maintain a close watch on the new global variants.