New Covid Alert, Mask Mandate And Other Top Stories Of The Day

First up, there is growing concern over the new COVID variant that is driving up cases elsewhere in the world. With an even more contagious variant BF.7 surfacing, India is looking at more genome sequencing to identify the new variant in COVID cases in the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi -- after a review meeting on Covid has advised use of masks and increased testing for Covid. There has been concern after four cases of the virus variant playing havoc in China was detected in India. The Centre has told the states to focus on awareness; Face masks will be a must in closed spaces and air-conditioned rooms in Karnataka, the state government said on Thursday, amid a nationwide alert over a new variant of the coronavirus that has triggered a spike in COVID-19 cases in China and a few other countries and other top stories.