It’s simply a shame we don’t know when we’ll be able to escape COVID-19. At the moment, the only variant I’m interested in seeing is of Dr. Strange. We are utterly unprepared for what is about to happen to us. We’ve become so accustomed to surviving that we’ve entered the Endemic (a scenario that isn’t going away and that people have grown accustomed to living with). As a result, we’re stuck with a new form of COVID-19 variant called Omicron with no way out.
India’s Omicron tally surpassed 2000 instances, bringing the total number of patients to 2,043, even as the mutation extended to Meghalaya, affecting 24 states and UTs throughout the country. In Mumbai, Omicron was responsible for 80% of the Covid cases, with the Delta variation accounting for the remaining 20%. In the 24 hours leading up to 9 a.m. Wednesday, India recorded 58,097 new Covid-19 cases and 534 deaths. The active cases in the country totalled 2,14,004 with 15,389 recoveries.
According to a prominent infectious diseases expert, Omicron might become the prevalent coronavirus strain in Singapore in the next two months, entirely displacing the Delta variation. Meanwhile, France set a new one-day record with 2,71,686 new cases, while Australia recorded 47,799 new cases.
Omicron Origin and First Case in India:
Omicron, which was first discovered in South Africa, is believed to be more contagious than other viral strains. The earliest cases discovered in India were of foreign origin, indicating that they acquired the variation elsewhere. However, persons who have never travelled are suddenly testing positive for the Omicron variety. Not just in Delhi but people without a travel history are also testing positive for Omicron in Mumbai.
According to a CDC examination of the first 43 cases investigated in the United States, cough, weariness, congestion, and runny nose are the four most prevalent symptoms of the omicron form. People infected with COVID-19 can experience a wide range of symptoms, with cough and loss of smell being two of the most common.
State Wise – Omicron Action:
- Delhi: It was the first in the world to implement a weekend curfew. Cinemas, spas, gyms, banquet halls, auditoriums, and sports facilities have all closed their doors. Schools and colleges will be closed for the time being. Restaurants and bars are at half their normal capacity.
- Maharashtra: The state government has stated that enclosed spaces, such as cinema halls, theatres, marriage halls, and convention halls, are permitted to operate at 50% capacity, whereas open spaces are permitted to operate at 25% capacity.
- Punjab: The administration has decided to implement a night curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., close educational institutions, and allow cinema halls to operate at half capacity. Apart from cinemas, bars, multiplexes, malls, zoos, restaurants, spas, museums, and malls would all be permitted to operate at 50%. Only fully vaccinated employees will be permitted to work in government or private offices, factories, or businesses.
- Karnataka: The government has enforced a 10-day “night curfew” from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. beginning December 28. Eateries, taverns, motels, and restaurants can have up to 50% capacity under this curfew. Bengaluru, the state capital and home to an international airport, could become the epicentre of the latest outbreak.
- West Bengal: The government has prolonged the state’s night curfew until January 15. From 10 p.m. until 5 a.m., there will be restrictions on the movement of persons and vehicles. With immediate effect, all schools, colleges, and other educational institutions will be closed. Tourist attractions, swimming pools, parlours, spas, wellness centres, and gyms have all been ordered to close.
- Tamil Nadu: To combat the escalating number of Covid cases, the government has imposed a night curfew beginning January 6 and a Sunday shutdown. The night curfew hours are 10 pm to 5 am. On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, no one will be allowed into places of worship. During this time, no restaurants, malls, or shops will be allowed to open. On January 9, there will be a complete lock-down. Weddings are limited to 100 guests, and funerals are limited to 50 individuals.
- Goa: The state government has decided to implement a night curfew in the state between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. Due to an increase in coronavirus cases in the state, the state administration has also decided to close schools and universities until January 26.
- UP: The Uttar Pradesh night curfew has been extended by two hours, putting restrictions in place between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. The state administration closed all schools up to and including class 10 from January 6 to 14.
- Kerala: The government has opted not to reinstate the night curfew, but has imposed various limitations following the Covid convention. After Maharashtra and Delhi, the state ranks third with 181 Omicron cases. According to the most recent limitations, the maximum number of persons who can attend a closed-door function is 75, while the maximum number of people who can attend an outdoor function is 150. Visitors from other countries will be screened and quarantined for two weeks by the government.
- Telangana: The state does not have a night curfew, but the government has taken all necessary safeguards, such as testing, surveillance, and treatment, as well as having medicines and human resources readily available.
What can be done:
- The union government must ban the rallies due to the general elections for the State Legislative Assembly in seven states namely Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and UT Jammu and Kashmir. All political party leaders should be placed under house arrest until the election date so that they do not participate in election campaign rallies. Those who rebel must be imprisoned. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra have been tested COVID positive.
- Everyone must be on high alert and take essential steps to prevent getting the Covid19 virus now that people have reverted to being COVI-IDIOTS.
- And most importantly, more rapid testing should be done to get the real story behind the curtains.
According to experts, Omicron has begun to overtake Delta in India. However, it’s important to remember that Delta is still the most prevalent strain in India.
