Omicron variant of Corona Virus is spreading very fast throughout the world, and in India also it is picking up the pace. Along with this variant, the cases of other variants and normal Corona virus have also begun to increase again everywhere. In the USA last week there were more than 600,000+ cases with 70% belonging to variant. In India, the situation is not that alarming now, but still Central and state govts have started issuing directives, to combat Omicron spread.
Directives issued by Central govt to cut the spread of new infectious variant Omicron
- Non essential travel must be averted.
- Mass gatherings should also be avoided as these often turn in to Covid 19 hotspots.
- Festivities, particularly the upcoming Christmas and New Year fete, should be observed in low intensity.
- Those districts, which have reported more than five per cent test positivity rates, need to ensure restrictive measures until the rate falls below five percent for two weeks.
Now look at the curbs introduced by a few states to check any surge in cases;
DELHI- As the state the highest number of cases in six months. The govt has banned all gatherings to celebrate Christmas and New Year. All social, political, sport, entertainment, religious, cultural, and festival related gatherings have been banned. Banquet halls cannot function except for meeting, conferences, and marriages. Restaurants and bars will allow 50% seating.
HARYANA- It has been made mandatory for all students of 18+ to have the vaccination. Entry to hotels, bars, shopping malls, liquor, and wine shops, grain markets, local markets, haats will be allowed only to fully vaccinated people. You can not enter ant govt office unless you are fully vaccinated, this includes staff. Fully vaccinated people will only be allowed in public transport vehicles.
MAHARASHTRA- The state to shut educational institutions if cases of Omicron continue to rise. The civic authorities have already issued guidelines for the Christmas and New Year celebrations, asking gathering in closed premises to be at 50% of total capacity and in open at 25% of total capacity.
WEST BENGAL- The govt made institutional hospitalization and isolation mandatory for all Covid 19 positive international travelers from ‘at risk’ countries. The state health department also said that if tested positive in genome sequencing, no patient will be discharged until two successive RTPCR reports (done 48 hours apart) become negative.
KERALA-The Omicron cases are rising daily. The state has decided to increase sampling and genetic sequencing in respect of travellers coming into the state even from non risk countries.
KARNATAKA- Health authorities have ordered all primary and secondary contacts of Covid 19positive person to be traced and identified within 24 hours in order to contain the spread of infection. The state has reported 19 Omicron cases so far. The govt has imposed curbs for four days from 30th December on clubs, pubs, restaurants, and hotels.
GUJARAT- The govt has extended the night curfew in 8 major cities till 31st December amid Omicron threat.
Other states will also have similar types of restrictions.
Whether these curbs will be sufficient to combat the Omicron variant of Covid, and other variants of Covid.
Two days back the Central Health Minister made a statement in Parliament that buffer stocks of medicine and oxygen have been prepared to mitigate any crisis and 48,000 Ventilators have been distributed to states. 88% of the eligible population has been given the first dose and 58% second dose. The Minister said that govt has identified ‘at risk’ countries where the variant Omicron has been reported. People coming from those countries are required to take mandatory tests on arrival to India with seven days isolation at home, with another testing again after seven days.
At present, the vaccine manufacturing capacity is 31 Cr doses per month and it will be increased to 45 Cr doses per month in the next two months.
Let us see whether these types of restrictions/preparations will be able to curb the spread of the spread of Covid 19 and other variants.
Waiting, for your views on this blog.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
23rd December 2021