Covid worries have returned as the government steps up vigilance to prevent the pandemic surge in China and a few other countries from crossing over to India. Though infections back home are at rock bottom, the fast-spreading BF.7 variant fuelling the current Chinese wave is causing alarm. This version of the coronavirus has also been detected in India. Taking a cue from the Centre, states have directed officials to increase testing and genome sampling besides launching booster drives. A conversation with Dr Anita Mathew, infectious diseases expert, Fortis Hospital, Mulund, Mumbai, on the situation in India.

This article was published in Times of India on 28 Dec 2022