A forum of scientific advisers set up by the government warned officials in early March of a new and more contagious variant of the coronavirus taking hold in the country, Reuters has reported quoting five scientists who are part of the forum.
Despite the warning, four of the scientists said the government did not impose major restrictions to stop the spread of the virus. Millions of largely unmasked people attended religious festivals and political rallies that were held by the PM and other political leaders.
The report said that the warning about the new variant in early March was issued by the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genetics Consortium, or INSACOG. It was conveyed to a top official who reports directly to the prime minister. The forum shared its findings with the health ministry’s National Centre for Disease Control before March 10, the report added.