NEW DELHI- India's federal government has asked its states to increase genome sequencing of positive samples amid a rise in COVID-19 cases in different countries, officials said Wednesday, reports Xinhua.

"It's essential to gear up whole genome sequencing of positive case samples to track variants through Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) network," read a letter issued by India's federal health ministry to the states on Tuesday late evening.

The letter asks all states to ensure that samples of all positive cases, on a daily basis, are sent to the designated INSACOG Genome Sequencing Laboratories that are mapped to them as far as possible.

India has pursued a five-fold strategy of testing, tracking, treating and vaccinating to monitor and control the spread of COVID-19 virus in the country.

"Public health challenge of COVID-19 still persists around the world with around 3.5 million cases reported weekly," the letter further reads.

In India, about 1,200 cases are being reported on a weekly basis, officials said.