New Delhi, Jan 5: The Centre on Wednesday said Omicron variant is the predominant circulating strain in India.
Informing that the upsurge of COVID-19 cases is happening in cities, the government also noted that the precautionary dose of COVID-19 vaccine for healthcare and frontline workers as well as those above 60 years with comorbidities will be same as the first two doses of the vaccine.
The Centre, however, said there is no need to panic and one must be alert, disciplined and prepared, adding that the country will face this phase of the pandemic as well.
“Upsurge of infections is happening in cities. Omicron is the predominant circulating strain and mass gatherings need to be avoided to reduce the speed of the spread of infection. “There has been a surge in COVID cases globally whereas 25.2 lakh cases were recorded globally on January 4, the highest ever since the onset of the pandemic,” officials said. “India reported over 6.3 times rise in COVID cases in the last eight days. There has been a sharp rise in case positivity from 0.79 per cent on December 29 to 5.03 per cent on January 5,” they said. They said six states/UTs now have over 10,000 active COVID cases.
The Centre on Wednesday also issued revised guidelines for home isolation of mild and asymptomatic patients amid the surge in COVID-19 cases nationwide. As per the guidelines, the patient under home isolation will stand discharged and end isolation after at least 7 days have passed from testing positive and no fever for 3 successive days and they shall continue wearing masks. There is no need for re-testing after the home isolation period is over. (PTI)
