PM Modi -Over the past few weeks, India has seen an alarming rise in the omicron variant of SARS-COV-2 virus. With regular fresh cases being reported everyday, several restrictions has been imposed by the government to avoid the catastrophic situation that hit the country during May, 2021.

Omicron Variant

The new COVID 19 variant B.1.1.529 first came to light on 24t^h November,2021 from South Africa. The World Health Organisation (WHO) named this variant of concern as ‘Omicron’. This new variant has taken a toll over several nations including India as well. The first omicron in India was reported in early December from Karnataka. Ever since then, the cases have been on rise.

Daily cases

Although the omicron variant has been said to be less dominant than the Delta one but due its highly transmissible nature, the daily cases are increasing substantially

According to the latest data, India is totally in the grip of the third wave as 1,59,632 new cases have been reported in the last 24 hours. This is the first time since May 30,2021 that the cases have crossed 1.5 lakh mark. The sharp increase in infection has taken the positivity rate to a whopping 10.21% and the total death tally stands at 327.

Talking of the new variant, India’s tally of Omicron cases has surpassed 3,623 with almost every state of the country coming under its spell. However, the worst hit states includes Maharashtra which tops the chart with 1,009 cases, followed by Delhi with 513 cases while Karnataka reported 441 cases.

PM chaired a meeting

In view of the ongoing spike of the Omicron variant of the Covid-19 creating an alarming situation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday chaired  a review meeting where he  emphasized upon the need to continue intensive containment and to regulate active surveillance in areas reporting higher number of cases. He also talked of boosting the health infrastructure while providing the necessary technical assistance to states where the infection is going up by leaps and bounds.

While urging people to mask up and follow the necessary protocols in this fight, he also said that, “We need continuous scientific research in testing, vaccines and pharmacological interventions, including genome sequencing, given that the virus is evolving continuously,”

He also discussed at length the preparedness of healthcare infrastructure and the vaccination drive for teens and the need to ensure continuity of non-COVID healthcare services.   

Booster shot

Since the Omicron variant is taking a toll upon the country, the government has recommended  yet another precautionary shot which has been named as the booster Shot. Starting from January 10, the third dose of the vaccine will only be administered to healthcare workers, frontline workers and senior citizens. The registration for the precautionary shot started on the CoWin portal on Saturday evening.

Additional Secretary and Mission Director, National Health Mission (NHM), Vikas Sheel on Saturday said in a tweet, “The feature for online appointments for precaution dose for HCWs/FLWs and Citizens (60 ) is now live on Co-WIN. To book an appointment, please visit http://cowin.gov.in”

The Centre has already said that the precautionary COVID-19 vaccine dose will be the same vaccine as administered previously in the first two doses. So, if a person who has been vaccinated with two shots of Covishield, he will be administered the third shot of Covishield only. And if someone has taken shots of Covaxin, they will be given the third shot  of the same vaccine.

“Precautionary COVID-19 vaccine dose will be the same vaccine as has been given previously. Those who have received Covaxin will receive Covaxin, those who have received primary two doses of Covishield will receive Covishield,” said Dr VK Paul, Member-Health, NITI Aayog during media briefing of Union Health Ministry on Wednesday.