Step up health infra, testing: Centre to states amid Omicron threat

Variant found first in South Africa has multiple mutations, has been detected in Hong Kong, UK, Israel and Botswana. It is yet to be detected in India

The Centre has directed all states to ramp up health infrastructure, enhance testing and surveillance in light of the Omicron variant of coronavirus, designated by the world health organisation as a variant of concern.

The Health ministry in a letter to chief secretaries of all states has asked them to ensure that there are no delays in providing care. States have been told to plan and strengthen the availability of trained manpower, infrastructure, logistics and procurement.

“There shall be no compromise in providing prompt quality treatment to the patients. States are requested to optimally utilize the financial support provided by the government,” Rajesh Bhushan, health secretary said in the letter to states.

The Government has also asked states to operationalise ample testing infrastructure to tackle any surge due to this mutated virus. Recently, the health ministry had asked states to increase testing after a fall in the proportion of RT-PCR tests in some states. Centre has also cautioned states that in the absence of sufficient testing, it is extremely difficult to determine the true level of infection spread.

The Omicron variant found first in South Africa has multiple mutations and has led to a rapid spike in cases in Guateng province of the country. The variant has been detected in Hong Kong, UK, Israel and Botswana. It is yet to be detected in India.

“States must significantly increase sampling from the general population or community for genome sequencing by sending these samples to INSACOG Lab network,” Bhushan said.

Health ministry has reiterated that it is essential that the disease surveillance network in the country is geared up for rigorous follow up of all international travelers from all countries especially countries

designated as "At Risk." Countries that are in the list of “at-risk nations include countries in Europe including the UK, South Africa, Brazil, Bangladesh, Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Singapore, Hong Kong and Israel.

Health secretary also said that states should keep a close check on the emerging trend of cases and the positivity in an area and quickly delineate hotspots for effective containment.

Besides, in order to counter misinformation states have also been told to proactively and regularly address the concerns of the community through press briefings and state bulletins providing evidence based information.