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NATION FEBRUARY 04, 2022 | The Indian Eye 8

Omicron remains a cause of concern even

as 95% of population gets 1 dose of vaccine

Government emphasizes a continued focus on the five-fold strategy

— Test-Track-Treat-Vaccination and adherence to COVID Appropriate Behavior

OUR BUREAU “The individuals infected with
Omicron have significant immune
New Delhi
response which could neutralize not
he Central Government on only the Omicron but also the oth-
Thursday extended the exist- er VOCs including most prevalent
Ting COVID-related restric- Delta variant,” a study by ICMR has
tions in the country till February 28 in revealed. “This suggests that the im-
view of the rising cases of COVID-19 mune response induced by the Omi-
and Omicron variants. cron could effectively neutralize the
Ministry of Home Affairs Delta variant making the re-infection
(MHA) issued the order directing with Delta less likely, thereby dis-
all the states and the Union Territo- placing the Delta as dominant strain.
ries (UTs) to instruct their local and This emphasizes the need for the
district administrations to promptly Omicron specific vaccine strategy,” it
take containment measures against further said.
the threat of the Omicron variant In this study, the ICMR has ana-
based on their own assessment of lyzed the IgG and neutralizing antibod-
the situation. Taking evidence-based Shops closed at Sadar Bazaar market during a weekend curfew imposed by the authorities, in ies (NAbs) against B.1, Alpha, Beta,
COVID-19 containment measures view of rising COVID-19 cases, in New Delhi on Saturday. (ANI Photo/ Ishant) Delta and Omicron variants with the
at the district and local level, as sera of individuals infected with the
conveyed by the Ministry of Health Omicron variant (B.1.1529 and BA.1)
and Family Welfare (MoHFW), the as currently India is facing the third
MHA order mentioned that COVID wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
restrictions “will remain in force till On the positive side, almost 95
February 28, 2022.” per cent of the eligible population
The order was issued when In- has been given the first dose of the
dia logged 2,86,384 new coronavirus COVID-19 vaccination. Dr Man-
infections, taking the total tally of sukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of
COVID-19 cases to 40,371,500 ac- Health and Family Welfare, congrat-
cording to the Union Health Minis- ulated the nation for the remarkable
try data updated on Thursday. achievement. In a tweet, he said, “In-
As per the order, containment dia has achieved the record of admin-
measures have been extended up to istering the first dose of COVID-19
February 28. vaccine to more than 95 per cent of
“Due to the current COVID its eligible population. Under the
wave, led by the new variant, Omi- leadership of Prime Minister Nar-
cron, there has been a steady increase endra Modi, the hard work of health
in the number of COVID cases in the workers and public participation, the
country and the active cases have in- A girl receives a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine during a vaccination drive for children aged 15-18 country is continuously moving for-
creased to over 22 lakhs. Though a years in wake of a surge in Omicron-driven Coronavirus cases, in Patna on Thursday. (ANI Photo) ward in this campaign.” Meanwhile,
majority of active cases are recover- the cumulative COVID-19 vaccina-
ing fast and a low percentage of cases It also asked to emphasize er local authorities concerned to take tion in the country exceeded 164.35
are in hospitals, it is still a matter of that there should be a continued necessary measures for prompt and crore doses on Thursday, said the
concern that 407 districts in 34 States focus on the five-fold strategy-- effective management of COVID-19, Union Health Ministry.
and UTs are reporting a positivity Test-Track-Treat-Vaccination and strict compliance with various advi- The daily vaccination tally is ex-
rate of more than 10 per cent,” the adherence to COVID Appropriate sories issued by the MoHFW on the pected to increase with the compila-
order said. Behavior. new VOC and strict enforcement of tion of the final reports for the day by
Therefore, looking at the current “The state enforcement machin- COVID Appropriate Behavior. late tonight.
trends of the COVID virus, the order ery should strictly enforce the norms Meanwhile, the emphasize latest Till 7 pm on Thursday, out of
said, there is a need to exercise cau- of COVID Appropriate Behavior-- study conducted by Indian Coun- total 49,69,805 doses administered,
tion and vigilance. Against this back- wearing of face masks and maintain- cil of Medical Research (ICMR) 14,83,417 people have received their
ground, the order issued by Home ing safe social distancing in all public shows that antibodies generated by first dose of the vaccine, including
Secretary Ajay Bhalla said “I would areas/gatherings,” the order further Omicron, a COVID-19 strain, are 5,43,227 vaccination doses adminis-
like to reiterate that all the states/ reads. not only effective against it but also tered to children aged between 15-18
UTs must observe all precautions It is also urged to issue necessary other variants of concern (VOCs) in- years. 28,94,739 people received their
and not let the guard down”. directions to the districts and all oth- cluding Delta. second dose of vaccine on Thursday.

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