Omicron Variant: Take Adequate Measures or Expect 'Massive 3rd Wave', Warns IMA
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In view of the concern surrounding Omicron variant, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Tuesday, 7 December pushed the administration to announce "additional" COVID vaccine doses for healthcare, frontline workers, and immunocompromised individuals, PTI reported.
Saying that it is scientifically evident that the Omicron cases will increase, the agency stated, "If we do not take adequate measures, we may have a massive third wave."
On Monday, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya had stated that 85 percent of India's eligible adult population had been administered the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
Meanwhile, as per data on Tuesday morning, India reported its lowest single-day rise in cases in 558 days with 6,822 new infections on Monday.
Two more cases of Omicron variant were reported in Mumbai on the evening of Sunday, 6 December, taking Maharashtra's tally to 10.
India's tally of Omicron currently stands at 23.
Nine people tested positive for Omicron in Rajasthan on Sunday.
Seven new cases of Omicron were reported from Maharashtra.
Delhi reported its first case in a 37-year-old man who had returned from Tanzania.
India's first two cases were reported from Karnataka.
Canada Returnee & UK Returnee Test COVID Positive in MP, Sample Sent for Genome Sequencing: Bhopal District Admin
Two persons who returned Madhya Pradesh from the United Kingdom and Canada, respectively, have tested positive for COVID-19, reported ANI, citing Bhopal District Administration.
Their samples were sent for genome sequencing, the administration reportedly added.
Kerala Reports 4,656 New Cases
Kerala reports 4,656 new cases, 28 deaths, and 5,180 recoveries in the last 24 hours. Active cases in the state stand at 40,072.
Delhi Reports 51 New COVID Cases
Delhi, on Tuesday evening, reported 51 new cases, 19 recoveries and 0 deaths in the last 24 hours.
Total cases 14,41,449
Total recoveries 14,15,974
Death toll 25,099
Active cases 376
Britain: No Stricter Domestic COVID Curbs Ahead of Christmas
United Kingdom Justice Secretary Dominic Raab said that the UK will not impose stricter domestic COVID-19 restrictions ahead of Christmas, as their immunisation programme has been a success, Reuters reported.
Blood Plasma Treatment Does Not Improve Survival: WHO
The World Health Organisation has advised against blood plasma treatment in cases of mild or moderate illness due to COVID-19.
The Health agency, in an article published in the British Medical Journal observed, "Current evidence shows that it does not improve survival nor reduce the need for mechanical ventilation, and it is costly and time-consuming to administer."
Start Booster Shots, Inoculate 15 & Older: Aaditya Thackeray
Maharashtra Minister Aaditya Thackeray, in a letter to Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, has urged the central government to clear booster shots for frontline workers, health workers among others and start inoculating every either 15 years of age or older.
IMA Warns of Third Wave; Says Expedite Vaccinations, Provide Additional Doses
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Tuesday, 7 December pushed the administration to announce "additional" COVID vaccine doses for healthcare, frontline workers, and immunocompromised individuals, PTI reported.
Taking note of the Omicron cases in the country's major cities, the agency said that it is scientifically evident that the Omicron cases will spread further and observed, "At a time when India is limping back to normalcy, this is a great setback. If we do not take adequate measures, we may have a massive third wave."
Further, it urged the government to take a decision on vaccinating children swiftly.
One of Earliest Omicron Cases Still COVID-19 Positive
A 46-year-old man, who was one of the two earliest cases of the Omicron variant in the country, was still positive for the virus, a senior official said on Tuesday, 7 December.
His last test was conducted seven days ago. As per the official, the 46-year-old doctor will be kept under observation for another seven days and be discharged only after a negative RT-PCR test.
85% of All Eligible Adults Vaccinated: Mansukh Mandaviya
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday, 6 December took to Twitter and said that 85 percent of India's eligible adult population had been administered the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
Active COVID-19 Cases at 95,014, Lowest in 554 Days
As per Ministry of Health and Family Welfare data, India recorded 6,822 new COVID-19 cases, which is the lowest in 558 days, and 220 deaths in the last 24 hours.
Active caseload presently stands at 95,014, the lowest in 554 days.
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