Amidst the growing fear of Omicron, the Union Ministry on Tuesday, November 30, had held a meeting with all health secretaries of the states and Union Territories. The ministry has asked the states to ramp up RT-PCR testing.
It has directed the state governments to enhance surveillance on international passengers. The decision to increase testing is taken in order to prevent the further spread of the new COVID-19 variant Omicron.
Also read: Omicron Scare: BMC Postpones Reopening Of Schools
An official from the health department said that the Centre has asked them to increase medicine capacities and prepare hospital infrastructure, including beds, ICUs, ventilators etc.
While another senior from the health department stated that the ministry has asked the states to follow all the COVID-19 norms.
Rajesh Bhushan, Union health secretary said that the new variant can be detected in an RT-PCR test. However, the studies are still going on, whether there is any impact on Rapid Antigen Tests.
Rajesh Tope, Maharashtra Health Minister, said that the state government would strictly adhere to all coronavirus guidelines.
Meanwhile, the state government yesterday announced that seven-day quarantine would be mandatory for passengers from 'at-risk countries. On Saturday, the Uddhav Thackeray-led government had also issued the revised COVID-19 guidelines for the citizens.
On the other hand, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has alerted its ward rooms, hospitals and jumbo centres about Omicron.