Omicron in India: Centre warns states, PM Modi to review tomorrow

The Centre on Tuesday rang fresh alarm bells saying that evidence so far suggests that the omicron variant is at least thrice more infectious than delta, pushing states to reactivate Covid19 war rooms to keep a close watch on emerging data on the population affected by the infectious disease.

This, the government said, was in view of the initial signs of a surge in cases of Covid19 in India as well as increased detection of the omicron variant in various parts of the country.

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On Tuesday, Odisha, too, joined the list of states with confirmed omicron cases while its total confirmed cases in India jumped to 213.

In letters written to all chief secretaries, Union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan said that at the district level, there should be a constant review of emerging data regarding the population affected by Covid19, geographical spread, hospital infrastructure and its utilization, manpower and notification of containment zones.

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The main elements of the framework to be used by states to facilitate decision making at the district level, said the Centre, should be a test positivity rate of 10% or more in the last one week or bed occupancy of 40 % or more on oxygen supported or ICU beds.

Amid the rising Omicron variant cases in India and across the globe, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to chair a crucial meeting tomorrow. PM Modi will hold the meet to review the covid-19 situation across the nation.