- Omicron thrice more transmissible than Delta: Centre to states, UTs
- India has recorded 213 cases of the Omicron variant of coronavirus across 15 states and UTs so far
- Delhi has recorded the maximum 57 cases of the Omicron variant followed by Maharashtra at 54
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to chair a crucial meeting to discuss the threat posed by the new COVID-19 variant Omicron in India. The country has so far recorded 213 cases of the new COVID variant.
In view of the Omicron threat, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan has written to states and Union Territories saying that the new COVID variant is three times more transmissible than the Delta variant of coronavirus.
In a letter to the states and union territories, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan advised them to “activate” war rooms to tackle the new challenge.
The highest-ranking official in the Union health ministry advised the states to ‘implement strategic interventions for containment like imposition of night curfew, strict regulation of large gatherings, curtailing numbers in marriages and funerals besides increasing testing and surveillance’.
Bhushan asked the states and UTs to keep analysing small trends and surges in regards to COID cases and maintain strict and prompt containment action at district and local levels.
While asking the governments to maintain a strict vigil on emerging COVID cases, Bhushan in his letter stated that “At the district level there should be a constant review of emerging data regarding the population affected by COVID-19, geographical spread, hospital infrastructure and its utilisation, manpower, notifying containment zones, enforcement of perimeter of containment zones etc. This evidence should be the basis for effective decision making at the district level itself.
“Such a strategy ensures that infection is contained at the local level itself before it spreads to other parts of the state,” the letter read.
The Centre also asked the states and UTs to ensure door to door case search, testing of all SARI/ILI and vulnerable/co-morbid people.
