Revert to night curfews, containment zones to combat Omicron: Centre tells States

New Delhi: The health ministry on Tuesday asked states to enhance restrictions and surveillance in the light of rising cases of Omicron noting that Omicron was three times more transmissible than Delta.
“Based on current scientific evidence, the VOC Omicron is at least 3 times more transmissible than the Delta VOC. The Delta VOC is still present in different parts of the country. Hence even greater foresight, data analysis, dynamic decision making and strict and prompt containment action is required at the local and district level,” health secretary Rajesh Bhushan said in a letter to states as Omicron cases crossed 250.
The health secretary said district-level containment measures and restrictions must be put in place forthwith wherever test positivity rate is 10 per cent or more in the last one week and bed occupancy is 40 pc or more on oxygen supported or ICU beds. In any area with 10 pc plus positivity the health ministry has recommended containment including night curfews, regulation of large gatherings, curtailing numbers in marriages and funerals, restricting numbers in offices, industries and public transport.
The health secretary has urged action on four areas – Containment, testing and Surveillance; Clinical Management, Vaccination and Covid protocols and asked states to activate war rooms to analyze trends and surges no matter how small. “Regular reviews with field officers and proactive action in this regard will definitely control the spread of infection and flatten the curve,” Bhushan said.
He said in case of new clusters of Covid positive cases, prompt notification of Containment Zones, Buffer Zones should be done, strict perimeter control of Containment Zone ensured and all cluster samples sent to genome sequencing labs without delay. The government has also asked states to ensure clinical management by way of increased bed capacity and logistics like ambulances for seamless shifting of patients, operational readiness of oxygen equipment and buffer stock of drugs.
“Ensure stringent enforcement of home isolation as per extant guidelines,” the letter states, adding that aggressive vaccination.