Third Wave of COVID-19 infection is impacting the country once again and the cases are rising with high magnitude. With omicron variant of COVID-19 infecting people at a rapid rte it is less likely that this third wave is going to end soon. On the New Year, India recorded 22,775 fresh COVID-19 cases and 406 deaths because of this infection. There have been 1400 Omicron cases till now, even though just 1 of them died of Omicron yet, but the rapid transmissibility rate is creating a panic among people. Good news also comes from South African doctor about Omicron COVID-19 virus, which is described through a study.
Highest COVID-19 Surge in Delhi On New Year
Delhi logged around 3194 new corona virus cases on 2nd of January 2022 and 2176 cases on 1st day of the New Year. Surge in corona virus cases have been significant and the re-infection rate is also high. New Year saw 50% spike in COVID-19 cases in the Delhi city which can be very problematic seeing the circumstances of the delta and omicron variant. Positivity rate also rose to 4.59 percent which is one of the highest according to Delhi’s Health Department.
Probability of Red Alert
According to Graded Response Action Plan, the authorities of Delhi can put a red alert in the city if the positivity rate grows over five percent for 2 consecutive days in the city. Delhi is already under yellow alert as of now. As the cases of omicron and corona virus are increasing, there are chances that red alert or orange alert may be put under act. This would lead to a total curfew in the city and halt most of the social activities. This probability has increased as we saw positivity rate of 4.59 percent yesterday that is very alarming.
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The infection rate is highest in past 7.5 months and hence there has to be a quick action plan to sort this situation. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has said that that there is no need of panic and data indicates that Omicron variant is less fatal than delta. However what’s problematic is that still there are more number of Delta variant affected COVID-19 patients that omicron.
Study on Omicron Virus: Dr. Faheem Younus
One of the top infectious diseases expert, Dr. Faheem Younus has said that Omicron causes “less significant” severe disease as compared to previous delta variant of COVID-19 infection. There were mostly assumptions that were made earlier, but this is one of the first official confirmations by expert to verify that omicron is less severe. Doctor Younus has said that citing a hospitalisation study report in South Africa, that pattern of Omicron has show less acute respiratory symptoms among people.
He also shared the data telling that people have acute has 31% acute respiratory problems in the omicron variant as compared to 91% in the Delta variant of COVID-19.
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