Omicron variant: After the possibility of a third Covid wave looming large over the country, numerous governments have put measures in place to prevent the spread of the latest variety, Omicron.
The Centre recommended states and UTs to increase testing for early detection of Covid cases and ensure enough infrastructure for treatment and isolation during a review meeting with them on Tuesday.
Delhi
Arvind Kejriwal, the Delhi Chief Minister, questioned the delay in halting flights from countries afflicted by the Omicron variety, a demand he made to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority has instructed the state health department to ensure that there are enough hospital beds, medications, and medical oxygen in the city following a meeting on Monday.
The national capital will steadfastly adhere to the test, track, and treat plan, as well as follow up with overseas travellers who must be placed on home confinement.
The Lok Nayak Hospital has been designated as the exclusive treatment centre for individuals who have tested positive for the new Covid strain.
Apart from that, all travellers arriving from high-risk nations will be subjected to RT-PCR tests at the airport, as per the Centre’s guidelines. Those who test positive will have their samples sent to be sequenced.
Maharashtra
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has asked the deans of all jumbo centres and ward officials in Mumbai to maintain the facilities ready to activate within a day if necessary.
BMC also intends to increase vaccination rates by holding special vaccination programmes in private and public workplaces with a big number of unvaccinated personnel.
State Tourism Minister Aditya Thackeray convened a meeting on Monday to discuss Covid preparedness and the new strain.
During the discussion, private institutions were told that they needed to establish at least one ward for Covid patients.
The district administration in Pune will undertake a special information and communication campaign to help dispel myths about the virus and expedite the vaccination procedure.
The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has chosen to quarantine persons returning from foreign nations, particularly South Africa, and to require overseas travelers to undergo RT-PCR testing.
Punjab
On Monday, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Om Prakash Soni directed all health officials to keep a close eye on passengers entering the state, particularly those from South Africa, Brazil, Bangladesh, Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Israel, where cases of the new variant have recently been detected.
Healthcare officials were told to make sure there were enough drugs and equipment. They were also told to follow the Centre’s instructions on foreign traveller obligatory testing, home quarantine for those who tested negative, and genomic surveillance and isolation for those who tested positive.
The city of Chandigarh, too, has opted to enhance Covid testing and immunisation. Efforts will be made at Health and Wellness Centres and other hospitals to begin Covid testing for patients attending OPDs and upload the testing results to a portal.
Aside from that, the city is ensuring that testing kits, medicines, and oxygen are available in sufficient quantities.
Karnataka
On Monday, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai ruled out an immediate state-wide lockdown. Travelers from countries where the Omicron variant has been found are tested upon arrival at airports, according to him.
A Covid-negative report is required for persons arriving from Kerala. They must also take a second test on the seventh day after arriving in Karnataka.
The state administration has also written to the federal government, requesting booster doses for frontline employees who were among the first to get vaccinated. They’ll also crank up the vaccine campaign, urging the 45 million individuals who are due for a second dose to get it.
Uttar Pradesh
International and domestic arrivals had distinct protocols from the Lucknow government. The protocols at the international terminal have been set in accordance with the Centre’s recommendations.
Thermal screening is required for all passengers at the domestic terminal, and RT-PCR is performed for passengers who exhibit symptoms.
Madhya Pradesh
International travellers who have landed in the state in the last month will be tracked, tested, and, if necessary, isolated by the state administration. In addition, the state has decided to increase genome sequencing.
Telangana
On Sunday, the administration announced that it had beefed up its surveillance system and informed personnel. Passengers travelling from ‘at risk’ nations who are fully vaccinated will be quarantined and monitored at home.
Source: Indianexpress
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