PM Modi said that more than 100 crore vaccine doses have been given since the last session.
New Delhi:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking ahead of the start of the winter session of Parliament today, urged caution on the new COVID version ‘Omicron’. He held a COVID review meeting over the weekend amid concerns about a new strain found in South Africa.
“The report of a new edition is making us even more alert. I appeal to Parliament and all of you to be vigilant as the health of every citizen is a priority in this hour of crisis,” PM Modi said in his customary remarks before the session. told reporters.
From the last session, PM Modi said, more than 100 crore doses of vaccine have been given and the country is now moving towards the figure of 150 crores.
The WHO on Friday declared Omicron “a variant of concern”, placing the new strain along with Delta and its weaker rivals alpha, beta and gamma in the most disturbing category of Covid variants.
With cases emerging in Botswana, Italy, Hong Kong, Australia, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Germany, Canada, Israel and the Czech Republic, the government is planning stricter travel rules and checks for visitors.
The cases in Hong Kong are particularly troubling because two patients (coming from southern Africa) were quarantined in separate rooms, suggesting that the version b.1.1.1.529 is Hawaiian.
Several countries have already imposed travel restrictions and restrictions on flights to and from South Africa and neighboring countries.
In his meeting with officials and experts on Saturday, PM Modi reportedly called for a review of plans to ease travel restrictions.
He emphasized the need to monitor all international arrivals and COVID tests with a focus on those coming from countries designated as ‘at risk’ by the Ministry of Health.
Omicron has been red flagged to have a “dangerously high number of mutations” that could make it more resistant to vaccines, increase transmittance and cause more severe symptoms.
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