UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said Monday that the new Omicron variant of the coronavirus was “just a common viral fever”, and that Covid was on its way out, while asking people not to worry but keep their guard up.
The poll-bound state, which is seeing massive rallies by different parties, has been seeing a surge in Covid cases in the past week. Over the past 24 hours, 572 fresh cases were reported, taking the tally of active cases in UP to 2,261, with no deaths. This marks a 10-times jump from last week when, on December 26, for example, the state saw 59 fresh cases.
On an inspection drive on the first day of vaccinations for the 15-18 age group, Adityanath said: “Yeh sach hai ki Omicron teevra sankraman hai. Lekin yeh bhi sach hai, Omicron jo variant aaya hai Covid-19 ka, yeh kaafi kamzor hai. Ek samanya viral fever matra yeh hai (It is true that Omicron is highly infectious. But it is also true that Omicorn, the new variant that has come of Covid-19, is very weak. It is a just a mere common viral fever).”
He added: “Nirnayak sthiti mein, Covid sheeghra smapta hoga (It is in the concluding stage, Covid will end soon).”
Urging people to adhere to Covid protocols such as masking, especially those with comorbidities, the CM said staying alert was necessary but there was no need to panic. “Satarkta aur savdhani kisi bhi bimari mein aavashyak hoti hain aur is maamle mein bhi satarkta aur savdhani aavashyak hain Ghabrane ki aavashyakta nahin (Remaining alert and cautious is necessary for every disease, and in this case also, it is needed. But there is no need to be afraid).”
The CM also played down fears of a third wave, saying that Omicron was not severe as Delta, seen during the second wave, which had delayed recovery rate and saw more post-Covid complications. “That time whoever was getting infected was taking 15-20-25 days to recover or turn negative. This is not the case with Omicron.”
In an interview with The Indian Express, AIIMS chief and member of Covid task force Dr Randeep Guleria had said that their experience showed Omicron was affecting the upper respiratory tract and the airways, rather than lungs. “That is why we see very fewer patients with a drop in oxygen saturation or the other severe symptoms we saw in Delta.”
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also said recently that while Covid cases were increasing, there was no need to panic as the number of hospitalisations was still low. “Covid cases are very mild now,” he said.
Adityanath said only eight cases of Omicron had been identified in UP, of which three had recovered while the rest were in home isolation. Most of the state’s 2,200 active cases were also in home isolation, he said.
Asked about genome sequencing of Covid cases in the state, to isolate the Omicron variant, the state’s Principal Secretary, Health, Amit Mohan Prasad said: “There is a guideline of 5-10 per cent cases being sent for sequencing, and the state is sending more than that. These eight cases came out of the 140 samples sent.”
Prasad added that with the cases rising now, they may make changes.
Adityanath said the government had ordered mock drills at hospitals, and oxygen plants had been instructed to keep ready with full strength.
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