No Case of Omicron Variant of COVID-19 Detected in India Yet, Says Official
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The Omicron variant is likely to spread internationally, posing a "very high" global risk where COVID-19 surges could have "severe consequences" in some areas, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Monday, 29 November.
Amid concerns over the emergence of the Omicron variant, a 32-year-old resident of Mumbai's Dombivli, who arrived from South Africa via Delhi on 24 November, tested COVID-positive upon arrival. However, health officials are yet to ascertain if he is infected with the Omicron variant.
Meanwhile, the Union Health Ministry on Sunday, 28 November, revised its guidelines for international arrivals in India. The guidelines, which will be brought into effect on Wednesday, 1 December, mandate submitting 14 days' travel details and uploading a negative RT-PCR test report on the Air Suvidha portal before the journey.
Read the full text of the guidelines here:
(Screenshot Courtesy: www.mohfw.gov.in)
(Screenshot Courtesy: www.mohfw.gov.in)
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Health Ministry Announces New Travel Guidelines
The Union Health Ministry on Sunday, 28 November, announced revised travel guidelines for international passengers in order to curb the spread of the new COVID-19 variant, 'Omicron', that has been classified as a 'Variant of Concern' (VoC) by the World Health Organization (WHO).
International travellers will have to provide their 14 days’ travel history and upload negative COVID test results. Further, travellers from “at-risk” countries will have to go undergo a mandatory 7-day quarantine even if they test negative for the virus.
The new guidelines will come into effect from 1 December.
Not Clear if Omicron COVID Variant is More Transmissible, Severe Than Others: WHO
According to World Health Organization, it is not yet clear whether the new COVID-19 variant, 'Omicron' is more transmissible or severe compared to Delta and other previous variants of the virus, WHO said in a statement.
While preliminary evidence is suggestive that Omicron comes with a heightened risk of reinfection, which means people infected with the coronavirus in the past may be more prone to catching the virus again, there is no data to indicate if it increases the severity of infection.
As per present evidence, the RT-PCR tests can detect the strain and symptoms associated with this variant are similar to other strains.
Canada Confirms Their First COVID Omicron Infections in Two People
Canada, on Sunday, 28 November, confirmed its first COVID Omicron infections in two people, reported AFP. The duo had reportedly recently travelled to Nigeria.
South Africa Returnee Tests Positive in Thane, Triggering 'Omicron' Fears
A 32-year-old resident of Mumbai's Dombivli, who arrived from South Africa via Delhi on 24 November, tested COVID positive upon arrival. However, health officials are yet to ascertain if he is infected with the Omicron variant.
Chief Medical Officer of the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) Pratibha Panpatil was quoted as saying, “The passenger travelled from Cape Town to Delhi via Dubai. He gave a sample in Delhi and was allowed to board the connecting flight to Mumbai. On arrival in Mumbai, he was found to be positive. He is asymptomatic and had home quarantined himself. Later, the corporation quarantined him in an institution," Indian Express reported.
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Overall Global Risk Related to Omicron Very High: WHO
The WHO on Monday urged its 194 member states to accelerate vaccination of high-priority groups and to "ensure mitigation plans are in place" to maintain essential health services.
"Omicron has an unprecedented number of spike mutations, some of which are concerning for their potential impact on the trajectory of the pandemic," the WHO said, according to Reuters.
"The overall global risk related to the new variant of concern Omicron is assessed as very high," it added.
Further research is needed to better understand Omicron's potential to escape protection against immunity induced by vaccines and previous infections, the body said.
"COVID -19 cases and infections are expected in vaccinated persons, albeit in a small and predictable proportion", it added.
Traveller From South Africa Infected With Variant Different From Delta: Karnataka Health Min
Days after two foreign nationals from South Africa tested positive for COVID-19 in Bengaluru upon arrival, Karnataka Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar said that at least one of the two has been affected by “a variant different from the Delta variant”.
Sudhakar said, “I will not comment on the detection of the Omicron variant. We are holding discussions with ICMR and the ministry of health at the Centre. One person who is around 63-year-old has been infected by a variant that is different from the Delta variant. The ICMR has been consulted and we should have clarity by this evening.”
On Friday, authorities had said the two travellers were infected with the Delta variant and not the new Omicron variant reported in South Africa.
No Proposal for Lockdown in State: Karnakata Health Minister
The Karnataka government has ruled out any proposals for imposing a lockdown in the state, Health Minister K Sudhakar said on Monday. Clarifying on speculation over the newly emerged variant, the health minister said that there is no proposal made to the government to impose a lockdown and that people should not spread rumours.
The minister said that contact tracing is underway for all travellers coming from South Africa, where the Omicron variant was first detected, and the travellers are being surveyed and contacts are also being tracked.
No Case of Omicron Variant Detected in India Yet: Official
No case of the new Omicron variant of coronavirus has been detected in India yet, a senior government official said on Monday, according to news agency PTI.
The official said that Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Consortia INSACOG is closely monitoring the situation and expediting the results of genomic analysis of positive samples of international travellers.
All Adults in Britain Can Now Take Third COVID Jab
All adults in Britain will now be able to get a third COVID jab, a government scientific advisory body said on Monday, according to news agency AFP.
This now extends the booster shots to adults aged 18 to 39 years old.