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OMICRON SPREADING RAPIDLY, NUMBERS CAN OVERWHELM: WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the highly transmissible Omicron variant is spreading at a rate not seen with any previous variant of Covid-19—underlining that even if it causes less severe disease, “the sheer number of cases could once again overwhelm unprepared health systems”. WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, during a media […]

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the highly transmissible Omicron variant is spreading at a rate not seen with any previous variant of Covid-19—underlining that even if it causes less severe disease, “the sheer number of cases could once again overwhelm unprepared health systems”. WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, during a media briefing on Covid-19, also flagged that while 77 countries have now reported cases of Omicron, the reality is that Omicron is probably in most countries, even if it hasn’t been detected yet. “Omicron is spreading at a rate we have not seen with any previous variant,” Tedros said. “We’re concerned that people are dismissing Omicron as mild… Even if Omicron does cause less severe disease, the sheer number of cases could once again overwhelm unprepared health systems,” he said. Highlighting that “vaccines alone will not get any country out of this crisis”, Tedros said, “It’s not vaccines instead of masks. It’s not vaccines instead of distancing. It’s not vaccines instead of ventilation or hand hygiene. Do it all…” He further said there is “evolving evidence” that suggests a small decline in the effectiveness of vaccines against severe disease and death—and a decline in preventing mild disease or infection. Tedros reiterated that WHO is not against booster. “We are against inequity… It’s a question of prioritisation… Giving boosters to groups at low risk of severe disease or death simply endangers the lives of those at high risk still waiting for primary doses.”

In India, meanwhile, West Bengal on Wednesday reported its first Omicron case after a seven-year-old boy, resident of Murshidabad district, tested positive for the new coronavirus variant, a senior official of the health department said. The boy, the official said, recently returned to Bengal from Abu Dhabi via Hyderabad. He left for a relative’s place in Malda from Kolkata airport. “The boy flew with his parents from Abu Dhabi to Hyderabad, where he tested positive for Omicron. He had not entered Hyderabad city. He returned to Kolkata on 11 December. The state health department was alerted about his Omicron report by authorities in Hyderabad only on Wednesday morning,” the senior official said. The seven-year-old has been shifted to a hospital in Malda, he said. Earlier, the official had said he was undergoing treatment at a Murshidabad hospital. The child’s parents have been placed under isolation and efforts are underway to trace those who came in contact with him, he said. Asked if another round of tests will be conducted, the official said no such decision has been taken.

Additionally, three persons, two foreign nationals and a child, tested positive for the Omicron variant in Hyderabad on Wednesday. Dr G. Srinivas Rao, Director of Public Health and Family Welfare, said, “Two cases of Omicron variant in the state from non-risk countries. A man from Somalia and a woman from Kenya have tested positive for Omicron. They came to Hyderabad via Dubai…We are tracking one more person.” He further said, “The child, who is an international traveller, has been tested positive at the airport. He left directly to West Bengal from Hyderabad.” Dr Rao said, “The foreign nationals will be quarantined in Hyderabad and after their recovery, they will be sent back to their respective countries. They were in the city for some personal work.”

Four new cases of Omicron were also reported from Maharashtra. Two cases are from Osmanabad and one each from Mumbai and Buldhana. Even as Maharashtra has seen rising Omicron cases, the Maharashtra government has once again slashed the price of the RT-PCR test at Mumbai airport. In the beginning, the price was Rs 4,500. Then it was cut down to Rs 3,900. And now it is slashed to Rs 1,975, said a press release.

Meanwhile, Bollywood actor Kareena Kapoor Khan’s house help has tested positive for Covid-19, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said on Wednesday. The ‘3 Idiots’ actor had herself tested positive for the deadly virus after attending a gathering at filmmaker Karan Johar’s house. Amrita Arora, Seema Khan and Maheep Kapoor, who too were present there had also tested positive for the novel coronavirus. However, Karan has not contracted it. “My family and I and everyone at home have done their RTPCR tests and with the grace of god we are all negative! In fact, I tested twice just to be safe and am negative. I truly appreciate the grandest efforts of the BMC to ensure the safety of our city. Salute to them,” Karan said on Wednesday.

BMC tested 110 people who had been in contact with people who tested Covid-19 positive after Karan’s get together. All 110 tested negative.

Delhi witnessed a slight increase in its daily Covid-19 case count as 57 new cases were reported during the last 24 hours. The national capital reported 45 cases of Covid-19 on Tuesday.

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