Confirm covid-19 cases in India with the newly discovered omicron variant has now shot up almost five times overnight At least nine people were infected in Rajasthan, seven in Maharashtra and one in Delhi. There by the total count in India for omicron stands at 21.
Delhi’s 1st Omicron patient who has been infected with on variant is a 33 year old man who has just returned from South Africa. As per sources, the patient has been fully vaccinated and treatment is going on at Lok Nayak Hospital.
It has been noted that people visit in South Africa and returning back to the country has been reportedly tested with omicron positive. In Pune for 44 year old woman of Indian Origin belonging from Nigeria along with her two daughters tested positive while travelling from Africa via Mumbai.
Cautioning that general testing and the extent of RT-PCR tests have declined in certain States, Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan on Sunday coordinated that “abundant testing framework should be operationalised to handle any flood because of Omicron, the changed COVID infection”.
He said as a proactive advance, the Central Government has as of now positioned nations where this Variant of Concern (VoC) has been found in the class of “in danger” for extra subsequent proportions of worldwide travellers visiting India.
The Ministry likewise said considering the conceivable danger that this VoC can present, it is basic that serious control, dynamic observation, expanded inclusion of inoculation and COVID suitable conduct are authorized in the field in an extremely proactive way.
The Ministry informed that in all “hotspots”, testing and sending of the positive samples quickly for the genome sequencing to INSACOG labs must be strictly ensured in collaboration with the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and Department of Biotechnology (DBT).
Some of the states have also been asked to keep a close and constant check on the new emerging trends of cases in an area and quickly delineate hotspots for an effective containment.
It was also instructed that the States should aim at achieving Covid positivity rate below 5% while keeping focus on increasing the number of tests. Also they should share the RT-PCR tests to aid in early identification. The Ministry also said that having adequate availability of various health facilities is essential for ensuring that there are no delays in providing proper health care when required.
