The enthusiasm of New Year joy and good cheer will seemingly be on low key due to the looming shadow of the Covid-Cousin Omicron crisis for the second year in a row, Christmas festivities and other festivals falling in December too passed off in a somber manner and a message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the nation calling for more vigilance in routine life of common citizen of this country. The Prime Minister had reminded the nation that “the fight against pandemic is not over”, and stressed that the need for “continued adherence to Covid-safe behavior is of paramount importance even today”.
As of today, India has recorded 678 Omicron cases spread over 21 states and union territories. While a good number of Omicron patients have recovered. The analysis suggests that most of the Omicron positive cases had foreign travel history.
Globally too, the Omicron variant continues to pose the threat of a potential third wave. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), till December 25, the Omicron variant had been identified in 110 countries across all six WHO regions. The WHO had designated B.1.1.529 a variant of concern (VOC). By now, there is fairly well-oiled machinery in place to tackle any sudden surge, unlike the panicky early weeks and months of the pandemic. The Center has already issued a number of guidelines to States on effectively tackling the rising number of cases. If the test positivity rate exceeds 10 per cent in the preceding seven days, or if any district reports occupancy of more than 40 per cent in designated oxygen-supported Covid beds or ICU beds, then district-level containment measures and restrictions may be put in place. Public gatherings and celebrations have already been banned in the Capital while measures are set to follow in Maharashtra, Goa and elsewhere, including clamping of night curfew, and curtailing numbers in weddings and funerals. Curbs on office working and public transport may also follow.
All this may indicate that we are back to square one in the fight against the virus. That is not so. It is only that having learnt some painful lessons in the past, at great cost to many businesses and pain and grief to lakhs of families, it is by far better to be safe than sorry. We are also much better prepared as a nation to deal with the pandemic. The health infrastructure has been ramped up, the worst of the gaps so cruelly exposed by the second wave, such as the flawed Oxygen supply chain, have been plugged. What is more, India’s stellar performance on the vaccination front has meant that a significant part of the population has been offered a degree of protection against the virus. All evidence so far suggests that while the Omicron variant is more infectious and readily transmitted its impact on patients, particularly those who received the vaccine, is far more muted. Most remain asymptomatic; others get mild symptoms, while only a few are severely impacted. This underscores the need to step up the vaccine drive. With 40 percent of adults yet to be vaccinated, and India continuing to be overly dependent on Covishield – Covaxin production has simply not met promises – authorities are taking their time to clear a booster dose fearing shortages. Vaccines for children, as well as a nasal spray and an oral pill variant, are still in the testing stage.
However, India must ensure that the gains of the vaccination drive, as well as the calibrated economic stimulus measures introduced, are not frittered away. We have hard won gains and these should not be frittered away for a few brief moments of carelessness. The numbers also underscore the positive impact of vaccination. As more people are immunized and confidence grows, so does normal economic activity. India can still learn a lesson from the experience of countries like the UK and USA, where perhaps over confident relaxation, as well as widespread inappropriate Corona behaviour by the public, has led to resurgence in cases.
While New Year is approaching let us restrict ourselves in the common interest, lock away our fears and spread the cheers without moving physically.
