The new variant of Covid-19, Omicron is fast spreading and highly infectious virus that is spreading across the globe. It has made its entry into India and now case with Omicron infection has been detected in Andhra Pradesh as well. Even as the virus is spreading all over are the state governments prepared? Will AP be able to handle the impending situation?
Omicron Enters AP
AP detected its first case of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 on Sunday. The variant was detected in a 34-year-old traveller from Ireland. The patient is asymptomatic and tested negative for the coronavirus in an RT-PCR test conducted on Saturday. Traveller, did not come directly from Ireland to Visakhapatnam. The passenger first landed at Mumbai airport, was tested there and found to be Covid-19 negative.
He was, hence, allowed to travel and came to Visakhapatnam on November 27. Another RT-PCR test was conducted in Vizianagaram in Andhra Pradesh and he tested positive for Covid-19. The sample was then sent to the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB) in Hyderabad for genome sequencing, where it was declared Omicron positive.
This is the first Omicron case identified in Andhra Pradesh, the Public Health Department officials said. “Fifteen foreign travellers were found Covid-19 positive, and all the 15 samples were sent to CCMB for genome sequencing. Results of ten patients were declared, of which one Omicron case is detected, and the results of other patients are waiting,” the officials said.
Public is requested not to believe rumours and panic. All are advised to take precautions to prevent Covid-19 and follow social distancing, the Public Health officers said. This includes following social distancing, wearing masks and washing hands regularly.
The Andhra Pradesh health department will start genomic sequencing in Vijaywada in about a week’s time. Talking about the preparedness of the state, Muddada Ravichandra, principal secretary, health, medical and family welfare department said that the dependency on other states to get the genomic sequencing reports will reduce, moreover the time will be saved. The state is currently sending samples to other states for genomic sequencing.
The principal secretary sad that the state was prepared for any eventuality emerging out of Omicron spread or even if there was a third wave. He mentioned that the state government has ramped up its testing capabilities over the months. The AP government was in a position to test 90,000 people through RT-PCR testing, he mentioned and added that they had procured 24,000 oxygen concentrators and 28,000 oxygen cylinders.
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India’s Omicron tally has risen to 36 with the addition of Andhra Pradesh, Chandigarh and Karnataka’s cases on Sunday. Maharashtra has reported the highest number of Omicron cases at 17. Delhi, Rajasthan and Gujarat have also reported cases of the new variant.
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