Omicron scare: States told to go for need-based local curbs

A health worker inoculates a woman at Margomunda in Deoghar district of Jharkhand, on Monday. Pic/ANI

Amidst initial signs of a surge in cases of COVID-19 as well as increased detection of Omicron variant in different parts of the country, the Centre on Monday issued a fresh advisory to all States and UTs to deal with the pandemic situation.

In the advisory, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla said States and Union Territories may consider imposing need-based, local curbs and restrictions, to control the crowd during the festive season.

A swab sample being collected at New Delhi railway station, on Monday. Pic/PTI

Asking States and UTs not to let the guard down, he emphasised that there should be continued focus on the five-fold strategy - Test-Track-Treat-Vaccination and adherence to Covid appropriate behaviour to avoid the possibility of surge in COVID-19 cases, especially keeping in view the new Variant of Concern (VOC).

Bhalla asked the States and UTs to refer to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) order issued for ensuring implementation of the measures as conveyed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) on December 21.

Beneficiaries wait for vaccines in Nadia, Bengal, on Monday. Pic/PTI

"The country has witnessed an overall decline in active cases. However, the new variant, Omicron, is reported to be at least three times more transmissible than the Delta VOC, and is posing a new challenge for the COVID containment measures," the communication said.

In the countries with Omicron-driven surge, the home secretary said, the growth trajectory of cases has been very steep and in our country, 578 Omicron cases have already been reported in 19 States and UTs so far.

He said globally, Omicron cases have already been reported in 116 countries.

In the MoHFW advisory of December 21, Bhalla said a normative framework has been provided and with distinct presence of the Delta variant and detection of Omicron cases in many States, there is need for greater foresight, data analysis, dynamic decision making, and strict and prompt containment actions at the local and district levels, based on the assessment of the situation.

The home secretary said on December 23, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the status of COVID-19, Omicron VOC and preparedness of health systems across the country.

3,47,93,333 Total no. of Coronavirus cases in india so far
4,79,997 Total no. of deaths due to the virus in India so far
75,841 Total no. of active cases in India

Curbs or rallies: Varun Gandhi's jab

BJP MP Varun Gandhi on Monday cited a Centre's note to criticise the decision of several states, including Uttar Pradesh, to impose night curfew to curb COVId, and said it should be decided if our priority is to contain the disease or to indulge in a show of strength during elections. Of late, Gandhi has been targeting his own party.

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