India is better prepared to manage Omicron : AIIMS Chief Randeep Guleria

New Delhi : The Omicron variant of the coronavirus surging and raising fears of a third wave of the pandemic in India, AIIMS Chief Dr Randeep Guleria advised people"not to panic, but to be vigilant". He asked the public not to hoard medicines, oxygen cylinders, and other such things, and added that as a nation we are better prepared to manage any surge in these cases.

Sharing a New Year video message on Twitter, Dr Randeep Guleria said," As we move forward, I think it’s important for us to understand that the pandemic is not over. Yet we are in a better position as compared to last year. We’ve had a large number of people who have been vaccinated, but still we are now seeing cases which are increasing and therefore it’s very important for us to observe COVID-appropriate behaviour, wearing masks, maintaining physical distancing, regularly washing hands and avoiding crowds so that we don’t have super spreading events."

He also added as per the data available the new variant Omicron, is a mild infection, doesn’t cause fall in oxygen saturation and so the requirement of oxygen may not be that much.

"Do not hoard medicines, oxygen cylinders, and other such things. We as a nation are better prepared to manage any surge in the cases that may happen because of the new wave and we also know we are prepared in the form of individual immunity. Large number of people have got immunity either because of vaccination, or because of natural infection and because of that we’re very well protected. I would therefore assure everyone that don’t panic, but we have to be alert but make sure you don’t become a part of the chain of spreading infection," Guleria informed.

India reported over 13,000 fresh cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, registering a sharp rise of 44 percent over the previous day’s tally.Daily cases have more than doubled in just two days at a faster growth rate than ever seen during the pandemic in the country.