NEW DELHI: Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday that the present increase of Covid-19 cases in the country is showing a consistent downward trend.

In response to a question about the country's worrying surge in the spread of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, Mandaviya told the house, "Currently, the Omicron variant is the most common in the country. The present increase of Covid-19 instances in the country, on the other hand, has been on a steady decline since January 21." In his statement, the Health Minister stated that the ministry continues to assist states and UTs in improving their readiness and response capacities in the face of Covid-19 and other public health emergencies. "A package of Rs 23,123 crore (including Rs 15,000 crore as the Central Component) has been authorised under ECRP Phase II. As of 31st January 2022, Rs 7,245.95 crore had been paid to States/UTs as part of the Central component to build health infrastructure in order to handle any rise in patients ", Mandaviya stated.

With the reopening of schools creating concerns about the safety of children under the age of 15, Health Minister Mandaviya stated that the government will decide whether or not to vaccinate this group depending on the recommendations of an expert panel.

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