Hyderabad: The current situation of Covid-19 infections occurring in South Africa and other countries give clear indications that Telangana and other parts of the country also have a third wave of Covid infections driven by Omicron variant around mid-January, Dr G Srinivasa Rao, director of Public Health (DPH), said here on Sunday.
“Covid infections in South Africa due to Omicron variant started gradually and then grew twice as fast as Delta variant within days. In another day or two, in terms of portability, Omicron has become four times faster than Delta variant. Now it has spread 16 times faster in South Africa. If the same exponential growth continues, we can see an increase in Covid infections here probably somewhere near January 15, ”said Dr Rao.
Unlike the first and second wave, the health machinery and even the general public this time are much better prepared and informed about Covid-19. While state governments in the previous two imposed restrictions and other severe restrictions Covid waves, this time there could be no such serious restrictions or limitations, he pointed out.
“Initial indications are that despite the fact that it is transferable, Omicron has induced Covid-19 can be soft. There is even a possibility that among the Indian population, Omicron may behave differently and a new boom may not occur at all. However, we must be ready for the worst and prepare accordingly. “This time I do not see governments imposing strict lock-ups,” he said.
Whether a new boom is light or severe, vulnerable populations will always run a high risk, he said.
“To protect vulnerable populations, we have called on the Union Ministry of Health to introduce booster doses for health and emergency workers and high-risk groups that were vaccinated about eight months ago. We are also prepared to vaccinate children, if the MOHFW gives the green signal for vaccines for children, ”said Dr Rao.
He acknowledged that it would not come as a surprise to anyone if an Omicron variant was reported in Telangana. “Currently, Omicron variant is reported in more than 30 countries and there are already five such cases in India. “We should not be surprised if cases are reported in Telangana,” he said.
Dr Rao has made it clear that it will take at least another week to fully understand the severity, transferability and hospitalization rate of Omicron variant. People need to keep taking Covid appropriate behaviors such as the use of masks, physical distance and being vaccinated at the earliest. “Right now, these are our best options,” Dr Rao added.
Source: Telangana Today