Treatment protocols for COVID-19, Delta will apply to Omicron: Centre

As India is witnessing a slight rise in cases of the Omicron variant of coronavirus, the Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan on Friday said that the treatment protocols for COVID-19 and Delta will apply to Omicron.

India has so far reported 358 cases of the Omicron variant, of which 183 were analysed and 121 of them were found to have foreign travel history.

Union Health Secretary at a press briefing today said, "The treatment protocols for COVID-19 and Delta will apply to Omicron. While the evidence emerges, the immune escape potential for Delta is higher and its high transmission rates will lead to high surge cases: Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan on COVID19."

Of the 183 Omicron cases analysed so far, 91 per cent were fully vaccinated with three having booster shots, 70 per cent were asymptomatic, and 61 per cent were males, the government said.

The Union Health Secretary issued a fresh warning against the COVID-19 pandemic in the wake of the rise in Omicron cases and said, "The world is witnessing the fourth surge and the overall positivity is 6.1 per cent. Therefore, we have to be on guard and can't afford to slacken."

He said that as compared to Europe, North America and Africa are experiencing an increase in COVID-19 cases week-on-week. Asia is witnessing a decline in the number of fresh cases, but we have to be on guard.

"The top five states with the highest number of active cases, at the moment, are Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Karnataka," said Rajesh Bhushan.

He further said that the Health Ministry advised the states on December 21 to impose restrictions like night curfew and regulate large gatherings.

"The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare preemptively advised States on 21st December to impose restrictions like night curfew, regulating large gatherings, increase bed capacity and other logistics and strict enforcement of COVID appropriate behaviour," said Union Health Secretary.

Dr Balram Bhargava, DG-ICMR urged to continue with the same strategy of COVID appropriate behaviour and ramping up of vaccination.

( With inputs from ANI )

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