Omicron infection is not common cold, the Union Health Ministry warned on Wednesday, adding that fully vaccinated people were 78% less likely to develop COVID-19 infection than unvaccinated people.
Quoting a study by the New York State Health Department, Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary, Health Ministry, said the report, based on analysis since May 2021, also showed that fully vaccinated people had between 90.2% and 95.7% lower chance of being hospitalised.
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The Ministry said the positivity rate in the country had risen to 11.05% on January 12 from 1.1% on December 30. It said Maharashtra, West Bengal, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala and Gujarat were emerging as States of concern due to the rapid rise in cases there. It added that 300 districts in the country were reporting weekly case positivity of more than 5%, with 19 States having more than 10,000 active cases.
“Though hospitalisation rates are so far low, Omicron should not be taken lightly with the variant now putting extreme stress on healthcare systems and workers across the global. During the last surge, misuse and overuse of medicines happened and should not be repeated. Guidelines are clear about the treatment protocol and will be updated as per scientific evidence and data,” V.K. Paul, Niti Aayog member (Health), said at the press conference.
“We need to be vigilant, get vaccinated and follow COVID-appropriate behaviour. Vaccination is an important pillar in our COVID-response programme,” Dr. Paul added.
Issuing a warning against the use of Molnupiravir, the second time this week, Director-General of the Indian Council of Medical Research Balram Bhargava said the side-effects of the anti-viral pill far outweighed its benefits.
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The national task force experts had noted that the inclusion of the drug in the Indian COVID-19 treatment guidelines should be avoided. “We had extensive discussions among national experts and reviewed whatever data was available. The conclusion is that Molnupiravir has certain risks that warrant caution in its use,” he said.
He added that experts had also cautioned about the rampant and irrational use of the pill. “They said efforts should be made to restrict its use as known and unknown harms far outweigh its claimed benefit,” Dr. Bhargava said.
The medicine is to be administered conditionally and is not to be given to people under 18 years and to pregnant women.
Mr. Agarwal said that following a review meeting by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the COVID-19 situation, the government had revised the discharge policy, with mild cases eligible for discharge after at least 7 days from testing positive and no fever for three successive days. There was no need for testing prior to discharge, he said.
In case of moderate infection, if there is resolution of symptoms and the patient’s oxygen saturation level stays above 93% for three successive days (without O2 support), then such patients can be discharged.
Published - January 12, 2022 05:59 pm IST
