Tag: Omicron Variant

Odisha's Covid Policy needs a change. The fight out plan has to include RTPCR tests that are variant detectors

Bhushan therefore asserted that the State Health Department should take required necessary steps to control the spread of infection and reduce fatality by adopting the ongoing strategy of Test-Tract-Treat-Vaccinate-Covid Appropriate Behaviour to keep the situation under control.

Amidst the looming threat of the new ‘Omicron’ variant of Covid-19 virus, the Odisha government said that it is prepared to tackle any situation.

The committee recommended Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Consortia INSACOG to closely monitor the new strain of the virus and work towards upgrading the genome sequencing infrastructure in the country.

However, the data collected on the history of the doctor who tested positive for the Omicron variant showed that he had contracted the virus locally.

As many as 380 people have returned to Odisha from countries hit by the new coronavirus strain-- Omicron, earlier this week, and all of them have tested negative, the State health department had informed on Thursday.

In India, after detection of the first two cases of Omicron infection in Bengaluru, the Karnataka Health department is now worried over 10 South African nationals, who have gone untraceable in Bengaluru.

The variant has now been found up to 30 countries, according to reports.

With the fear of the newly-detected Covid variant ‘Omicron’ gripping the state, Odisha Public Health Director, Niranjan Mishra on Thursday (Dec 2) informed that 380 persons have so far returned to Odisha from "at-risk countries".

Like several states in India, Odisha too has stepped up surveillance activities as 380 persons have reportedly returned to the State from destinations which have been tagged as ‘at risk nations’ by the Centre.

Highlighting that Odisha was able to control the first and second waves of Covid-19 successfully despite the challenging situations, Naveen Patnaik said it was due to its cautious approach towards the pandemic since outbreak.

Meanwhile, the WHO advises that "persons who are unwell or at risk of developing severe Covid-19 disease and dying, including people 60 years of age or older or those with comorbidities such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes," should postpone travel plans.

Amidst the threat of the new variant of Covid-19, called ‘Omicron’, Odisha Health Services Director, Bijay Mohapatra on Tuesday (Nov 30) informed that the technical team is inspecting the same as per NCDC (National Centre For Disease Control) & CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines.

At present, no Omicron variant has been reported in India and all measures have been taken to ensure this variant does not reach the country, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said.

Also on Tuesday, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan held a review meeting with states and UTs and advised them to ramp up testing for early identification and management of cases.