No new strain: Singapore denies Kejriwal’s statement ‘very dangerous’ Covid variant

By Sanjay Maurya

News Highlights

Delhi Chief Minister, a new strain of Covid-19 might infect India in a third wave, and requested the Centre to halt flights from Singapore.
Singapore has strongly denied Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s statement.
Phylogenetic testing has revealed that the B.1.617.2 variation is the most common COVID strain in recent COVID cases in Singapore, especially in youngsters.

No new strain: Singapore denies Kejriwal’s statement

The COVID-19 virus may infect both older and younger persons, according to a report published during the 1st and 2nd waves. People over the age of 65, as well as those with pre-existing medical issues including asthma, diabetes, and heart disease, tend to be more susceptible to the virus.

Beginning in May 2021, the Health Ministry claims that the third wave of Covid will be harmful to children under the age of 12, considering the virus’s proclivity for mutation and host selection.

Mr. Kejriwal, the Delhi Chief Minister, warned on the 18th of May that a new strain of Covid-19 might infect India in a third wave, and requested the Centre to halt flights from Singapore.

Singapore has strongly denied Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s claim that the island city-state was infected with a “very hazardous” variant of the coronavirus that might mostly impact youngsters. The foreign mission of Singapore tweeted that Kejriwal’s claim is false and that there is no Singapore variation.

Singapore’s diplomatic missions tweeted:

The claim that a new COVID strain has emerged in Singapore is false.
Phylogenetic testing has revealed that the B.1.617.2 variation is the most common COVID strain in recent COVID cases in Singapore, especially in youngsters.

Delhi Chief Minister on the new form of coronavirus in Singapore

Children in Singapore are thought to be at risk from a new strain of coronavirus. In the case of a third wave, it might reach Delhi.

Delhi Chief Minister Appeal:

With immediate effect, cancel all flight flights to Singapore.
Prioritize the development of vaccination alternatives for children.

Minister Hardeep Singh Puri Responding to Kejriwal’s appeal

Few flights are operated between the two nations as part of the government’s Vande Bharat Mission to reunite displaced Indians, and “all safeguards are being taken,” according to the statement.

Delhi Covid-19 Cases in Last 24 hours

According to a Delhi government health bulletin, the city registered 4,482 new Covid-19 cases and 265 fatalities on 18^th May, while the positive rate fell to 6.89 percent, the lowest in over a month. According to the report, the overall number of cases in the city has climbed to 14,02,873 and the death toll has grown to 22,111.