Coronavirus Omicron India Highlights | Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 23 chaired a high-level review meeting to assess the COVID-19 situation in the country and the preparedness of healthcare systems, in view of the emergence of the fast-spreading new Omicron coronavirus variant. The meeting comes in the backdrop of India recording 236 cases of the Omicron variant of the novel coronavirus across 16 states and union territories (UTs), out of which 104 have recovered or migrated, according to the Union Health Ministry. At the meeting attended by NITI Aayog’s Dr VK Paul, Home Secretary AK Bhalla, Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan, ICMR DG Dr Balram Bhargava, AYUSH Secretary Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, among others, PM Modi discussed the threat posed by Omicron -- the new Variant of Concern (VOC), the state of public health response measures for containment and management of COVID19, availability of drugs, oxygen cylinders, and concentrators, ventilators, etc., availability of ICU/oxygen supported beds, the status of vaccination, etc. The officials briefed the Prime Minister about the emerging scenario globally driven by the new variant, with an overview of the surge in cases in countries having high vaccination coverage and the presence of Omicron Variant. He was also apprised of the technical brief and priority actions recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) in the context of Omicron. The prime minister was further informed about the states that are reporting a higher number of coronavirus cases, districts reporting higher positivity, and higher number of clusters, etc. The details of the Omicron cases reported in the country, including their travel history, vaccination status, and recovered status was also presented.
Indians are crowding markets and taking packed flights to holiday destinations again despite calls from authorities urging restraint and caution amid rising cases of the rapidly-spreading Omicron variant of the coronavirus.In the coastal state of Goa, hugely popular as a tourist destination for its beaches and offshore casinos, hotels are running at nearly 90 percent occupancy, with some 90 flights landing in the western state daily, pushing air traffic volumes back to pre-pandemic levels.
Eight more people tested positive for Omicron in Kerala today, the total number in the State is 37. The first Omicron case in the State has been discharged, says State Health MinisterVeenaGeorge.
The Centre on Friday saidRemdesivirdrug should only be used in patients with moderate to severe’ COVID-19 and those with no renal or hepatic dysfunction within 10 days of the onset of any symptom.It also warned against use of the drug in patients who are not on oxygen support or in home settings.According to the clinical guidance issued by the Union health ministry for management of the infection in adult patients,Remdesivirhas been asked to be used in patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 and those with no renal or hepatic dysfunction within 10 days of onset of any symptom.
Amid the rising Omicron coronavirus cases in state, Maharashtra government on December 24 issued fresh curbs including 9 pm to 6 am night curfew ban of more than 5 people during that period.
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has crossed the 140 crore mark today with more than 59 lakh vaccine doses have been administered till 7 pm today: Government of India
Maharashtra reports 1,410 new cases, 12 deaths and 868 discharges today; Active caseload stands at 8,426. 20 new cases of Omicron were reported in the state, takes case tally to 108. Out of these, 54 cases have been discharged following a negative RTPCRtest.
The government’s scientific groups are deliberating on the need for booster dose of COVID-19 and they are reviewing all data from across the world as well as from India, officials said on Friday.Addressing a press conference,ICMRDirector GeneralBalramBhargavasaid discussions are going on to look at different aspects of booster dose."There is aCOVIDworking group, which has debated on it several times that those recommendations to the subcommittee of the National Technical Advisory Group ofimmunisationfollowing which it goes to the main technical advisory group ofimmunisationand then toNEGVACwhich will then be accepted by the Ministry of Health,” he said.
In an order dated December 24, all passengers arriving from theUAEand who are residents of Mumbai will have to undergo seven days home quarantine upon arrival in the city.Travellersresiding in other parts of Maharashtra other than Mumbai will be transferred by collector who shall arrange transport for suchtravellers.Thesetravellerswill not be allowed to take public transport, the order stated.Travellerswho have connecting flights to other States or other parts of Maharashtra will be allowed to take the connecting Hight, however, it is the responsibility of the Airport Authority to inform the respective Airport Officer regarding thetravellersarriving from Dubai, it said.All thetravellersarriving from Dubai and who are residents of Mumbai will be in home quarantine and will be followed by the Ward War Room for 7 days.On the 7th day,RT-PCRwill be done. If the test is negative, thetravellerwill self-monitor for further 7 days, howeverif the test is positive, they will be shifted to institutional quarantine as per the current guidelines for internationaltravellers.
Night curfew to be in force from 11pm to 5am daily inAhmedabad,Vadodara, Surat, Rajkot,Bhavnagar,Jamnagar,GandhinagarandJunagadhfrom 25th December, in view of current COVID19 situation, the Gujarat Chief Minister's Office said.
The COVID-19 tally in Goa reached 1,79,965 on Friday after 67 cases were detected, while the death toll remained unchanged at 3,518, an official said.So far, 1,75,994 people have been discharged post recovery, including 43 on Friday, leaving the state with an active caseload of 453, he said.With 1,902 samples being examined in the last 24 hours, the number of tests in Goa went up to 16,07,977, he added.
