Centre warns against decline in mask usage in view of Omicron variant of Covid

New Delhi: Health Ministry has said, overall 25 Omicron cases have been detected in the country so far and all detected cases have mild symptoms. 

Briefing media in Delhi last evening, Joint Secretary in the Ministry Lav Agarwal said, less than 0.04 percent of total variants have been detected. He said, less than two countries had reported Omicron cases till 24th November and now 59 countries have reported cases of Omicron. These 59 countries have reported 2,936 Omicron cases. Besides this,  over 78 thousand probable cases have been detected and their genome sequencing is underway.

Mr Agarwal said, surveillance, effective screening, monitoring of international travellers and health infrastructure upgradation is being done. States have been notified to increase their surveillance and actively test passengers arriving from other



countries. He said, WHO has highlighted that public health measures should be abided by on a continual basis, besides vaccination. 

Adequate precautions have to be followed and laxity in public health measures is leading to a surge in cases in Europe.

DG, ICMR, Balram Bhargava said, regular meetings are being organised to keep a watch on global scenario and COVID scene in India with a focus on Omicron. He said, district level restrictions will be implemented where positivity is over five percent.

 

Dr VK Paul, Member-Health, NITI Aayog cautioned that mask usage is declining and it should be kept in mind that both vaccines and masks are important.  He said, WHO is warning against the decline in mask usage and global scene of Omicron is disturbing.