The Center said that India is ready to fight the omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 and the country’s vaccine manufacturing capacity will be increased to 450 million doses per month in the next two months.
Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya told the Rajya Sabha on Monday that the buffer stock of medicines and Oxygen is formulated to ease any woes And 48,000 ventilators have been distributed to the states.
As per the latest update by the Health Minister, the assurance by the Center came as India’s tally of omicron cases reached 161.
The resurgence and resurgence of COVID cases is set to impact Christmas and New Year celebrations globally as many countries impose lockdowns and restrictions to stem the spread of infection.
India ready to fight Omicron version: Minister of Health and Family Welfare
Health and Family Welfare Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday informed the Rajya Sabha that India is ready to fight the Omicron version of coronavirus and will increase the country’s vaccine manufacturing capacity to 45 crore doses per month in the next two months.
Read also: The number of omicron cases in India is now 161, most of the cases are mild.
The minister said that buffer stocks of medicine and oxygen have been prepared and 48,000 ventilators have been distributed to the states to mitigate any crisis.
Giving information about the status of COVID-19 vaccination in India, Mandaviya said that 88 per cent of the population has been given the first dose and 58 per cent has received the second dose.
No clear evidence yet on severity of omicron infections, immune evasion in India: INSACOG
The Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), in its latest bulletin, said there is no clear evidence yet on transmittance, immune evasion or severity of Omicron in India, while noting that the variant is a variant of concern. As fast growing. globally.
The bulletin, published on December 13 and published on Monday, said public health measures and investigations are being conducted to see the new edition.
Read also: What you need to know about Omicron today
“At this time, there is no clear evidence regarding transmission potential, immune evasion, or severity in India,” INSACOG said.
It further said that the delta variant, which includes its b.1.617.2(ay) and ay.x sublines, remains the main type of concern globally, with Omicron growing rapidly.
All covid positive samples will be sent for genome sequencing: Kejriwal
Amid the omicron scare and rising number of coronavirus cases in Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said that all samples that test positive for the infection will now be sent for genome sequencing.
He also urged the Center to allow the administration of booster shots to fully vaccinated city residents.
Read also: There’s no evidence that current vaccines don’t work: Center issues FAQs on Omicron
The Chief Minister appealed to the people not to panic and wear masks as they are the most effective protection against the virus.
“For the past few days, the COVID-19 cases are increasing in the city. Yesterday (Sunday), it was over 100. We don’t know what type of Covid cases these are; normal or omicron version. So, to do this Find out, we have now decided to send samples of all positive cases for genome sequencing,” Kejriwal said at a press conference.
According to the Chief Minister, the decision was taken at a meeting of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), during which the omicron situation, including its possible impacts and steps to deal with it, were discussed.
Read also: Omicron variant could be dominant in Europe in months: EU
world economic forum postponed
The World Economic Forum (WEF) on Monday postponed its annual meeting in Davos over the rise in Covid-19 cases from the Omicron edition. The body deferred the meeting, citing “continued uncertainty over Omicron’s outbreak”.
The annual meeting was scheduled to take place in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland from January 17-21, 2022.
Read also: World Economic Forum meeting in Davos postponed over Omicron outbreak
Although the WEF did not announce the new dates, it said it would be held in the summer.
“The current pandemic situation makes it extremely difficult to meet in person globally. Preparation has been guided by expert advice and benefits from the close cooperation of the Swiss government at all levels,” the WEF said in a statement.
It said that despite the meeting’s stringent health protocols, Omicron’s communicability and its impact on travel and mobility necessitated the postponement.
Christmas and New Year Celebration Hits
A resurgence of Covid cases is set to impact Christmas and New Year’s celebrations as many countries impose lockdowns and restrictions to contain the spread of infection. With an average of 6.46 lakh daily cases, fresh Covid infections across the world have increased by 12 per cent since the beginning of this month and nearly 5 per cent since last week. While Europe accounts for 58 percent of daily global cases, the United States accounts for 20 percent.
Read also: World Economic Forum meeting in Davos postponed over Omicron outbreak
Omicron, the new variant, is spreading rapidly, causing a dramatic increase in cases in several countries, including the United Kingdom. In just one week, COVID cases in the UK increased from 51,297 to 77,601 on 19 December 2021. The Netherlands has imposed a nationwide lockdown while the UK is considering the same. Germany and Norway have also imposed restrictions such as lockdowns to prevent a fresh surge in cases.
The French government has urged people to get vaccinated as soon as possible. French Prime Minister Jean Castex told a news conference that the fifth wave is here and here in full force. The fast-spreading Omicron variant is expected to dominate infections in France in early January, he said.
Read also: Delhi to send all COVID+V samples for genome sequencing