Indian Council of Medical Research’s (ICMR) Head of Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases Dr Samiran Panda on Tuesday said that the Omicron variant of coronavirus is gradually replacing the Delta variant in many states across the country. Speaking with ANI, Dr Panda said, “We are seeing a change in India that Omicron is gradually replacing Delta in many of the states and the determining factor is spread of population and people’s behaviour. That’s why we have to ensure COVID appropriate behaviour.”
Also Read: Omicron – Should It Be Treated As Common Cold? Top Doctors Say We Should Not Make That Mistake
Responding to whether Delhi has crossed its peak for the wave according to its present trajectory of COVID cases, the head of ICMR’s epidemiology said that it is too early to infer a downward trend. “We should wait for the next three-four weeks,” he said. “Delhi, Maharashtra or any state’s health team should ensure that the test performance is not going bad. Those who are symptomatic should be encouraged to get tested,” he added.
One should not quickly jump to an inference that the wave is over. You have to wait for three weeks before recognizing any trend, Dr Panda said.
Talking about the recent change in testing guidelines by ICMR, Dr Panda said that its purpose is to manage the epidemic.
I’m trying to underline is that epidemic is not the same that we are facing now or that we faced in 2020 or 2021. So, as the epidemic has changed, its character, we have to change our testing strategy and the pandemic management strategy as well, he said.
Dr Panda also asserted that the public must avoid panicking and said that the individuals who have been hospitalised or require oxygen support are “in fact getting treated for comorbidities like cirrhosis or chronic kidney disease, etc.” “Associated comorbidities are killing them,” he said.
On Tuesday, the Union Health Ministry informed that India reported 2,38,018 COVID cases, 310 deaths, and 1,57,421 recoveries in the last 24 hours.
A total of 8,891 Omicron cases have been detected so far.
Also Read: Omicron Is Highly Infectious, Everyone Will Get It: Epidemiologist From ICMR
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via Banega Swachh India initiative, which is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – the LGBTQ population, indigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fight malnutrition, mental wellbeing, self care, science and health, adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity, that is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.
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