December 30, 2022
CM Content Team
The notorious COVID-19 virus brought the world to a complete standstill throughout 2020 and early parts of 2021 and claimed a million lives worldwide. After a global vaccination programme, just as things started to get regular, the virus threat is looming again. The new sub-variant of the COVID-19 virus named BF.7 has resulted in a massive COVID-19 infection surge in China.
Experts believe that the highly infectious Omicron sub-variant, BF.7, can claim 1-2 million lives in China and soon spread to other parts of the world. The sudden and unprecedented surge in COVID-19 cases has put the Chinese healthcare system under tremendous pressure. According to reports, the shortage of medicines in the country is making the situation worse.
Over the past few days, several news has been doing rounds in Indian media and social media. So, here is a complete guide on essential things you must know about BF.7 Omicron sub-variant. The guide includes –
The BF.7 Omicron sub-variant is the evolved version of the SARS-CoV2 virus that was responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic in 2109. Previously, different virus mutations such as Alpha, Delta, and Omicron were detected, and these variants branched and formed sub-variants. The deadly Delta variant caused the second wave of COVID-19 infection had 200 sub-variants.
Currently, the BF.7 Omicron sub-variant is primarily driving a surge in COVID-19 infection cases in China. Traces of the virus have also been detected worldwide in countries like the United States, France, Germany, Denmark and India. According to doctors in China, the new sub-variant is more transmissible than the earlier virus strains. Also, it reportedly has the strongest infection ability and more immune escape capability.
According to Chinese media, although BF.7 has a very high transmissibility potential, its symptoms are similar to the earlier Omicron sub-variants, including –
Experts suggest that the risk of contracting this virus is higher in those who have not received any vaccination before and have a weak immune system, like children, the elderly, and pregnant women. People with certain health conditions or co-morbidities like diabetes, cancer, kidney issues, etc., are also highly vulnerable to contracting the virus.
According to the experts at AIIMS (All Indian Institute of Medical Science), India is relatively safe from another wave of the COVID-19 pandemic because of the hybrid immunity among the population. To curb the spread of the infection in India, the government has already taken steps to make RT-PCR tests mandatory for income tourists from specific countries like China, Thailand, South Korea, Japan and Singapore.
The experts from AIIMS also suggested that imposing a travel ban and stopping flights coming to India from overseas and within India are ineffective in the present situation, as a travel ban has no role in preventing the infection spread. However, as a precautionary measure, the IMA (Indian Medical Association) has advised citizens to follow COVID-appropriate behaviour, such as wearing a mask, maintaining social distancing, and frequently washing their hands.
Also, the IMA has requested that citizens avoid travelling to international locations, especially to high-risk nations in Southeast Asia.
While medical experts have expressed apprehension about travelling overseas, there is no reservation about travelling within the country. If you have any plans to travel within India for Christmas and New Year holidays, you can enjoy going on a trip anywhere in India with your family members. You may still have to take preventive measures, but you can be stress-free about contracting the infection.
From Kashmir to Kanyakumari and Ahmedabad to Guwahati, you can go to any location of your choice and enjoy a memorable holiday. You can make your holiday even better and more fun by booking your stay at the Club Mahindra resorts or the affiliate properties at the holiday destination.
Club Mahindra resorts are known to be the most premium resorts in India that boast spacious rooms and the most modern amenities that make the stay comfortable and relaxing. Also, the Club Mahindra resort staff ensure that they take all the necessary safety measures and follow the government guidelines to ensure your safety.
Besides offering you a safe and comfortable space, Club Mahindra resorts also allow you to take part in many signature experiences curated just for your family to make your stay joyous and more entertaining.
So, choose a location, get your bookings done at your favourite Club Mahindra resort and enjoy a safe and wonderful holiday!
Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Ltd. (MHRIL), a part of Leisure and Hospitality sector of the Mahindra Group, offers quality family holidays primarily through vacation ownership memberships and brings to the industry values such as reliability, trust and customer satisfaction. Started in 1996, the company's flagship brand ‘Club Mahindra’, today has over 300,000 members , who can holiday at 140+ resorts in India and abroad.
