Omicron is the name of another variant of covid-19, also known as b.1.1.529 variant was first reported to who from South Africa on 24th November 2021. The number of cases of this variant appear to be increasing in almost all provinces in South Africa. Even though many countries have banned flights from SA, the risk remains the same as the case which got confirmed on 24th November, had its specimen collected on 9th November, 2021 so between 9th-24th many people from SA would have travelled to almost every country and this can be a danger for all of us.
Now the question arises being in India can we also see a spike in the covid cases which may later result into lockdown? The answer depends on us! Are we following the precautions, are we still wearing our masks, using sanitizers, maintain social distance? The state and central govt has already released new rules and regulations the govt of India is taking all the necessary steps to protect its citizens from banning flights, to quarantining passengers everything is followed. “The omicron variant is likely to spread internationally, posing “very high” global risk of infection surges that could have severe consequences in some areas” the world health organisation quoted on Monday. Two COVID-19 cases of the Omicron variant have been reported in India, as per health minister officials. This new variant is almost now found in 23 countries and now it’s in India as well, the centre’s ‘har ghar dastak’ door-to-door vaccination campaign has been extended and will continue until December 31 with a focus on inoculation of first doses to all eligible populations in the country and also for completing the backlog in administering second doses, the union health ministry said this is a very great scheme initiated by the govt which will vaccinate all Indians
Here are the five measures announced by government in view of omicron:
• All international passengers entering India will have to submit 14-days travel details and upload a negative rt-pcr test report on the air suvidha portal before the journey.
• Travellers from countries in the ‘at-risk’ category will have to take the post-arrival covid test and wait for results at the airport. They have to go through a seven-day home quarantine if tested negative for the virus and take up a re-test on the eighth day. If tested negative, they have to further self-monitor for the next seven days.
• Travellers from countries excluding the ‘at risk’ category will be allowed to leave the airport and require to self-monitor health for 14 days’ post-arrival. Five per cent of total flight passengers will undergo post-arrival testing at random at the airport.
• Genomic surveillance for variants is to be further strengthened and intensified.
• Airport health officials (aphos) and port health officials (phos) will be sensitized for strict supervision of testing protocol at airports and ports respectively
Now, how can we know that are we infected by omicron or not? here are some of its symptoms.
1. Patients infected with this strain show extreme tiredness. This is not limited to any age group. Young patients also show extreme tiredness, according to Angelique Coetzee, chairperson of the South African medical association.
2. There is no major drop in oxygen saturation levels. Drastic drop in oxygen saturation levels was seen among patients during the second wave of the pandemic in India, for example.
3. Patients infected with omicron strain have not reported loss of taste or smell, which are known symptoms in patients infected with other strains.
4. Patients of omicron variant have, however, complained of “scratchy throat”.
5. Most patients of omicron strain have recovered without hospitalisation, say doctors
