The Union Health Ministry today said that the Omicron variant has become dominant in India now, because of that there are early indications of a plateau in the number of cases, with just the top 10 states contributing to 77 per cent of total active cases in the country, the health ministry told the media. They further said, this percentage of the highly contagious Omicron variant raised rapidly in December and January and the prevalence of the Omicron subvariant called BA.2 is increasing in our community.
Seeing this the government too increased the vaccination coverage for a decline in the number of deaths. “Active case numbers and corresponding deaths are much lower in this wave,” it said and pointed out that the severity of infections is also relatively lower.
The government credited wide vaccination coverage for a fall in the number of deaths. “Active case numbers and corresponding deaths are much lower in this wave,” it said and pointed out that the severity of infections is also relatively lower. It has been seen that more than 90 per cent cases are in home isolation with mild to moderate severity and there are a lower number of cases who are needing oxygen and ICU beds.
Dr Balram Bhargava, Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said, there are enough vaccines available and vaccinating more people is the most important step in fighting the virus. He also warned people who have other comorbidities to be careful towards their health and should avoid huge gatherings because the outcome is not as good in patients who have comorbidities.
As of 27th January 2022, there are 19 States/UTs with both 1st & 2nd Dose Coverage more than National Average.
There are 16 States/UTs with coverage of adolescents aged 15-18 years more than the National Average
-JS, @MoHFW_INDIA pic.twitter.com/7hdydJKdPt
— PIB India (@PIB_India) January 27, 2022
We are not seeing only Omicron cases, Dr. Sujeet Kumar Singh, Director, National Centre for Disease Control, said and added that Odisha, West Bengal and Maharashtra are still showing cases of the Delta variant of the virus. “Clinical severity and hospitalisation can be caused by Delta as well,” he said. Stressing the need to get vaccinated and follow Covid appropriate behaviour, he said that people who are unvaccinated and have comorbidities “are dying in Delhi”. These two groups comprise 64 per cent of total Covid deaths, he added.
Government of India has launched eSanjeevani Telemedicine Platform. It provides regular & specialist consultation for both COVID and Non-Covid essential health services. More than 2.3 Crore Teleconsultation provided till date, said govt.
Government of India has launched eSanjeevani Telemedicine Platform. It provides regular & specialist consultation for both COVID and Non-Covid essential health services.
More than 2.3 Crore Teleconsultation provided till date
-JS, @MoHFW_INDIA pic.twitter.com/Ddi6SN8DVo
— PIB India (@PIB_India) January 27, 2022
It further noted that, 22 lakh active cases exist in the country as of today. Around 3 lakh daily #COVID19 cases were reported daily in the last week. Infection spread is still being noted to be quite high. Overall case positivity across India in the last week was around 17.75%
