Omicron: Warning Signals Revisiting India
The new variant omicron (B.1.1.529) as a variant of concern is gradually spreading in India. The World Health Organization expressed concern about deteriorating health of individuals and in days ahead it is expected to become a critical global threat…..
By Dr N.K. Prasanna/
The omicron variant was first identified in South Africa. It has already spread to more than 89 countries across the world with 230 cases in India reported recently. Although some reports suggest that this uncertainty may causeless protection against existing vaccines being in use for the fast-spreading Coronavirus variant. Limited information available on assessing the severity of the disease hinders its proper epidemiological increase in distending. The probability of risk with omicron is high with unprecedented surge for a number of reasons.
On the other hand preliminary findings indicate that the virus can spread rapidly and alter and weaken the immune system. This could lead to yet another peak with severe and serious grave consequences as well as rise of re-infections. The arrival of Omicron in the India looks inevitable and likely to complicate the country’s exit from an endless pandemic. It might also bring another new round of extreme economic uncertainty, at least in some industries which effects over a period of time.
World Health Organization (WHO) says that the Omicron variant of novel corona virus has been reported in 89 countries with Covid-19 cases doubling approximately every one to three days. Though a strain doubles every three days, even if it’s only half as severe, the number of severe instances of cases remains the same.”Even If a million people are affected, only a small percentage of them will be hospitalized.”A fraction of a million people is a lot of people, and that’s the true problem.”
“Buy us time” for what exactly?” After two years of flattening the curve, there have been no increases in ICU capacity, and none are on the way in rural areas.The risk assessment skills of our executive class are like “we’ll jump out of the way of that train right AFTER we get hit by it! which is why we failed so catastrophically from second wave of COVID-19. One should prioritize our needs ie. What is required to prevent even more unnecessary carnage in the name of capitalist hunger? People are not scared of the Omicron variant and do not take it for granted. How come people aren’t terrified of Omicron? One should not forget the lessons learned from delta variant. The world did not take Delta seriously. For this we paid a serious price. If we are going to do it again, with Omicron once more, it’s surreal.
We are living under the shadow of omicron. One should not just forget the previous lessons of second wave. We should remember and recall that lessons. Omicron variant has 50 mutations. Simply sit in silence cannot solve the problem. Lot of people are not vaccinated. Not wearing proper mask. Many are vulnerable. Now this is the time where India needs more publicity and promotional activities on how to control this virus.
Various facet’s of uncertainty around booster shots, causing anxiety for many Indians. The bottom line is that following Covid appropriate behaviour and trying to limit the severity of infection with vaccines is not only beneficial to the individual but also vital for society. To stop the oncoming wave, we need a well planned strategy and strict implementation of public health interventions to curt the wave.”
It’s a tough to forget the previous episodes ofCovid-19 re-infections during first and second wave. More information is needed to estimate the transmissibility and severity of omicron variant. Although the severity of the disease is less severe and lower than that of the delta uncertainty swirls around the clock all the day. If the virus spreads rapidly, it forecasts the number of hospital admissions with increase of COVID-19 patients. This will increase the burden on medical services that could fuel and lead to more deaths. Unless the new Coronavirus is controlled everywhere, the risk of pandemic resurgence remains same. So strengthening of High quality health care system is the need of the hour to tackle this global crisis.
(The authors are from Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi)