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BIG STORY DECEMBER 10, 2021 | The Indian Eye 6

Samples being examined at the Genome Sequencing Lab and RT-PCR Laboratory at Direc- A health worker in PPE Suit checks the oxygen level of passengers arriving from other states,
torate of Medical and Rural Health Services (DMS) campus amid rising fear of the ‘Omicron’ as per new guidelines in wake of the Omicron variant of Covid-19, at Chhatrapati Shivaji Termi-
strain of the Covid-19 virus, in Chennai on Monday. (ANI Photo) nus, in Mumbai on Thursday. (ANI Photo)

ellers would need to follow addition- the beginning of the months of Jan-
al measures on arrival in the country, uary and February and suddenly the
including post-arrival testing for in- Prime Minister appeared and he
fection. announced a 21-day lockdown with
But Members in Lok Sabha a four-hour notice, with no prepara-
on Thursday expressed concerns tion or no prior warning to the com-
about Omicron, the new variant of mon man,” he said.
COVID-19, as they raised queries The TMC member said the gov-
about “booster dose” and providing ernment should tell when all people
vaccination to the entire population of the country will be able to get both
of the country. doses of vaccine. “When can we not
Participating in a marathon dis- complete the second dose which we
cussion, which lasted beyond 11 PM were supposed to complete by De-
on “COVID-19 pandemic and vari- cember or January? Why have we
ous aspects related to it,” the oppo- not done it yet? Also, there is a sug-
sition members cautioned against a gestion by experts all over the world
possible third wave of pandemic due South African Medical Association Chairperson Dr. Angelique Coetzee that people who are above the age
to the new variant and said all steps speaks during an interview, in Pretoria on Friday. She was the first to detect the new of 65 and who have co-morbidities
should be taken to prevent its spread should be given booster doses. What
in the country. BJP members spoke COVID-19 variant Omicron. (ANI Photo) is the policy of the Government re-
of the steps taken by the government garding booster doses? What is the
to boost medical infrastructure and Whatever information is available countries and added that South Afri- policy of this Government regarding
provide relief to people. Opposition about the variant, it is most danger- ca, which first reported the new vari- inoculating or vaccinating the chil-
members found fault with the govern- ous and has a high rate of infection. ant, has vaccinated about 29 per cent dren or young adults as they are our
ment’s policies regarding COVID-19 There is a need for timely steps and of its people with the first dose of the future? she asked.
and accused it of being “complacent” more alertness. The mistake of the COVID-19 vaccine. She said there was need to make
before a serious second wave hit the past should not be repeated. If the He said the virus mutates and it people aware of the new variant.
country earlier this year. Members of right steps had been taken at the ap- is important that people in African “The vaccine, if two doses are giv-
BJP spoke about the steps taken by propriate time (before the second countries also get vaccines. “Global en, definitely prevents severe dis-
the government to boost health and wave) so many people would not vaccination is the only way”. The BJP ease and death. But mild disease will
medical infrastructure and step-up have lost their lives. There is a lot of member said that 80 crore people in still occur and with the mild disease,
vaccination. value in timely action,” he said. India had been given the first dose there will be morbidity in the society.
Members expressed concern Noting that Omicron has been of vaccine and 34 per cent of people There may be an increased risk of
over the problems faced by children listed as a variant of concern by the have received both doses of vaccine. reinfection with Omicron for people
due to the pandemic, especially relat- WHO, Choudhury said there is a DMK’s Dr DNV Senthilkumar who have previously had COVID-19
ed to their education, and said there risk of another possible wave due S said the Omicron variant is more with other variants. It is not that a
was also a “digital divide” which im- to the new variant. BJP’s Dr Sujay dangerous than the delta variant with person who has got COVID-19 be-
pacted the poor. The members also Radhakrishna Vikhepatil slammed a higher risk of re-infection. “With fore with delta or other variants will
drew attention to psychological is- the opposition parties and said they regard to the COVID situation -- be not be affected. They will also be af-
sues faced by people due to the dis- only find fault with what government it the first wave or the second phase fected by the disease. So, the vaccine
ease. Congress leader Adhir Ranjan does. or the anticipated third phase -- the remains critical to reduce the severe
Chowdhury said the Omicron variant Referring to coronavirus and its government’s reaction has always disease,” she said.
is becoming a threat. new variant, he said the only way to been reactive and not pro-active. Ini- As a large number of Indians are
“It has to be seen what is its glob- fight is to vaccinate people. He said tially, there were confusions in the not fully vaccinated, the country fac-
al impact. Scientists have advised that nearly seven per cent of peo- travel advisories and proper screen- es a major challenge as the new vari-
extreme caution against Omicron. ple have been vaccinated in African ing was not done at the airports at ant takes hold.

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