Increase testing and monitoring of hotspots: The Center warns states about the Omicron variant danger.

 With the advent of the Omicron variety of coronavirus, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan has written to states and UTs to advise them on further precautionary steps to take.

Increase testing and monitoring of hotspots: The Center warns states about the Omicron variant danger.Upcoming news

Concerned about the novel coronavirus variant Omicron discovered in southern Africa, the Center has written to all states and union territories again, advising them to take further cautious steps going forward.

Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan wrote in a letter to all states and union territories' additional chief secretary/principal secretary/secretary (Health) that, in addition to screening passengers from "at-risk" countries and imposing a 14-day quarantine, they should continue to monitor "hotspots," or areas where clusters of positive cases have recently emerged.

"In all such "hotspots," saturation testing and forwarding positive samples to designated INSACOG Labs for genome sequencing must be assured in coordination with the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) of the Government of India and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)," he stated.

For efficient Covid-19 containment, states should maintain a careful eye on the rising trend of cases and positive in a given area and immediately isolate hotspots the letter stated.

Extensive testing

More testing and sharing of RT-PCR assays should be prioritized to help in the early detection of Covid-19 patients. Bhushan emphasized that states should strive for a positivity rate of less than 5%.

Improvements to health-care infrastructure

"Having an appropriate supply of health facilities throughout the state is critical to ensuring that there are no delays in delivering care," adds Bhushan. States have been recommended to plan for and improve trained people resources, infrastructure, logistics, and procurement in this respect.

Furthermore, states have been advised to make the most use of the Centre's financial assistance under ECRP-l&ll. "There will be no compromise in providing patients with fast, high-quality care," the Union health secretary stated.

INSACOG has been formed to monitor the circulating variations in the country and has developed a rapid dispatch of samples for genome sequencing. It is critical at this point for states to considerably boost sampling from the general population/community for genome sequencing by sending these samples to the INSACOG Lab network in accordance with the policy.

Exposing 'false news'

State governments have been urged to address the public's worries about the pandemic on a regular basis through press conferences and bulletins that distribute evidence-based information in order to combat the spread of disinformation about the epidemic.

"States may also guarantee that the community is adequately informed about the steps taken and urged to follow measures like as Covid suitable behavior and getting vaccinated," according to the recommendation.

Observance of government directives

"It is vital for states/UTs to adhere to the overall 'Test-Track-Treat-Vaccinate and Covid appropriate behavior' approach to guarantee strict execution of containment measures in accordance with MoHFW guidelines," Bhushan added.

Omicron warning

The globe is on high alert after the Omicron variation was discovered in South Africa last week, with a high number of previously unknown spike mutations. It has now been discovered in various European and Asian nations, causing great alarm because it is unknown how infectious the strain is or whether it may dodge antibodies from earlier infection or immunization.

The discovery of the variety spurred nations to impose fresh travel restrictions, and drugmakers scrambled to test if their Covid-19 vaccines were still effective.