96% hospitalisations in Mumbai without jabs; WHO calls Omicron 'dangerous' for unvaccinated

Ninety-six per cent of the 1,900-odd patients on oxygen beds in Mumbai have not received even a single dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, said BMC commissioner Iqbal Chahal, after the analysation of vaccination and civic data.
Meanwhile, the BMC has decided that, unlike the first and second waves, where positivity was used to impose a lockdown or restrictions, further curbs would be imposed only if there is a burden of high hospitalisation rates and a steep increase in oxygen usage in the third wave, the Times of India reported.

In a TV interview, Chahal said that ninety-six per cent of the patients admitted on oxygen beds in 186 hospitals of Mumbai were unvaccinated, and that the general trend was that vaccinated people were not reaching ICUs.

“We have 21 lakh vaccine stock available with us. The current hurdle in ensuring the entire adult population is vaccinated is the 84-day gap required between the two doses. Today, too, our vaccination percentage is the best in India,” the commissioner said, adding that people should not think of the Omicron as a flu, adding if unvaccinated it definitely can take an infected person to the ICU.

More than one crore people in Mumbai have received both doses, while nearly 90 lakh have received only one vaccine shot, according to the BMC. Chahal also stated that additional restrictions would be imposed in the third wave only if the burden of hospitalizations and oxygen use skyrocketed.