Warning bells: On Omicron cases in India

India has reported over 200 cases of the highly contagious Omicron type And given that there were no cases when the month began, this has put the Center in a high position. An unmistakable foreshadowing was largely written in a letter written on Tuesday by the Union health secretary to chief secretaries of states and union territories asking them to be prepared for the worst-case scenario. it said that The Omicron was at least “three times more permeable” than the Delta version., and so there was a need for “greater foresight, data analysis, dynamic decision making, stricter and prompt control actions” at the local and district levels. It also outlined two specific parameters that states have to be vigilant about: test positivity of 10% or more in the past week and bed occupancy on oxygen-supported or intensive care units crossed 40% or more. The letter had echoes of days when India was under a complete lockdown – it asked district authorities to impose night curfews when necessary, strictly control large gatherings, reduce numbers at weddings and funerals, and allow offices, industries Called to limit the number in public transport. He also directed to take advance action.

Maharashtra and Delhi have reported the highest number of Omicron cases, followed by Telangana, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Kerala and Gujarat. India’s daily number of cases has come down and remains below 10,000 for most of the month – for the first time since May 2020; About 90% of the adult population has been vaccinated with at least one dose. By numbers alone, India is in much better shape than it was last year or as recently as this summer when a devastating second wave jolted the body. However, the panic at the center seems to stem from the experience of the last two years when waves in Europe and the United States were wreaking havoc in India. While last year it appeared that vaccines would be the world’s passport to exiting the pandemic, it now appears that even a third dose is inadequate. India is heavily dependent on a single vaccine, even though two are produced here; No mRNA vaccine is available. Drug regulators have yet to approve vaccines for children and booster doses are partly out of concern that it could lead to a shortage. A good 40% of adults – and they are still vulnerable to severe disease – have not yet been fully vaccinated. Crowds and public gatherings are at pre-pandemic levels and the coming months will see huge crowds as part of campaigning. The true impact of Omicron will be known in the next few weeks, but the center should be careful while facilitating greater availability of essential medicines, hospital beds and vaccines.