Despite the fact that infections caused by the Omicron strain are causing a sharp increase in Covid cases in India, there is an urgent need to scale up preventative measures like as masks, immunizations, social distance, and not to be complacent. The precautions and actions to be followed, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's current directives, are the same as previously. "It is critical to adequately mask oneself, receive both vaccination doses (if not already vaccinated), maintain social separation, and maintain excellent ventilation to the utmost extent feasible," according to the instructions.

Meanwhile, states have been urged to treat fever and sore throat as Omicron symptoms by the Center. In a letter to states, it said, "Any individual who has a fever with or without cough, headache, sore throat, dyspnea, body aching, or other symptoms should be considered a suspected case of Covid-19 unless confirmed differently."

In a letter to Chief Secretaries of all states and UTs, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan and ICMR Director General Dr Balram Bhargava encouraged them to build up round-the-clock operable RAT booths at various places, engage medical and paramedical professionals, and encourage the usage of home test kits.

"One of the important methods to prevent transmission of SARSCoV-2, the causative agent of Covid-19, is to test suspicious patients and their contacts early and isolate them quickly," it said.

If the results of RT-PCR testing are delayed, the Center advises states to use Rapid Antigen Tests, or RATs. Meanwhile, physicians at the Delhi government-run Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital reported that the sole therapy for Omicron patients was multivitamins and paracetamol.

To combat the growing number of infections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi ordered this Monday that Covid-19 immunisation will begin on January 3 for youngsters aged 15 to 18. Official estimates put the number of youngsters aged 15 to 18 years old who are eligible for the Covid-19 vaccine at at 10 crore.

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According to the government's CoWin portal, almost 16 lakh teenagers were vaccinated on the first day of immunisation. So far, more than 27 lakh youngsters in India have registered on the platform for the first dosage. Approximately 7.5 crore youngsters in this age group will be vaccinated across the country as part of the campaign. Only those born in or before 2007 are eligible to receive the vaccine.

Because the Omicron has the potential to evade vaccination protection, the country will begin a "precautionary dosage" on January 10 for healthcare/frontline personnel, as well as the senior population (over 60) with comorbidities. (IANS/PR)

(keywords: Omicron, covid-19, pandemic, prevention, infection, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, states and UTs)