Year-ender 2022: Despite vaccine strides, Covid-19 shadow still looms over India
New Delhi, December 31: Just as the world thought the novel coronavirus pandemic, which claimed millions of lives and paralysed economies for the better part of two years, was on its way out, the deadly new Omicron BF.7 strain reinforced the reality that the pandemic is far from over.
The deadly new strain has caused an increase in cases in China, the United States, and several other countries, prompting the Union government to increase screening of international passengers from affected countries and even subject them to random tests at airports.
So far, four confirmed BF. 7 cases have been reported in the country and the Centre has issued an advisory, advising citizens to mask up and ensure Covid-appropriate behaviour when outdoors.
From March to May 2021, the Covid-19 trajectory in the country saw a sharp upward curve, with cases multiplying by the day and hospitals and health infrastructure becoming overburdened.
However, the trajectory has been steadily declining since May 2021. This was largely due to the Centre's five-pronged strategy of test-track-treat-vaccinate and Covid-appropriate behaviour, as well as its extensive implementation with active public support.
Furthermore, with widespread vaccination coverage, India has been able to keep cases and deaths to 32,775 cases per million and 389 deaths per million population (as of November 25, 2022), which is among the lowest in the world when compared to other affected countries.
As of March 21, 2022, a total of 25,106 Omicron cases had been reported as active cases by states and union territories to the Lok Sabha, according to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Between January 1, 2022, and March 21, 2022, a total of 82,01,411 Omicron patients were discharged on a recovery across the country, according to additional information provided by the Union Health Ministry during the Lok Sabha session.
BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variants were also identified as Omicron sub-variants in the country. According to the Health Ministry, there were 68 cases of BA.4 and 331 cases of BA.5 in the country as of July 17, 2022.
According to sources, the BF.7 cases in India were reported over the course of three months: July, September, and November. Three cases have been reported in Gujarat, and one in Odisha. There were no other cases, according to health officials, and the infection was not found to be particularly severe.
The sudden increase in Covid cases in the United States, China, Brazil, and South Korea prompted the Union Health Ministry to conduct an analysis of the pandemic situation in India.
Surat Municipal Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani stated that on November 18 in Vadodara, a woman with a travel history to America was found BF.7 variant positive.
On December 27, hospitals across the country held mock drills to test Covid's emergency preparedness.
"A mock drill for an emergency response to deal with Covid 9 cases will be conducted at hospitals across the country on Tuesday, December 27. Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya will also be participating in the mock drill," an official source said.
The Union Health Ministry has advised states to increase genome sequencing of samples significantly. Mandaviya also presided over a high-level meeting to review the Covid situation and the public health system's readiness for pandemic surveillance, containment, and management.
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- ANI
