Omicron in India latest numbers, PM Modi to hold review meet: 5 updates
The Ministry of Health confirmed on December 23 that India's Omicron tally has reached 236. No deaths due to Omicron have been reported in India so far.
Here are the latest updates:
First, take a look at the latest Omicron numbers in India.
1. INDIA HAS 236 OMICRON CASES IN TOTAL NOW
Here's the state-wise break-up:
Maharashtra- 65
Delhi - 64
Telangana - 24
Rajasthan - 21
Karnataka - 19
Kerala - 15
Gujarat - 14
Jammu and Kashmir - 3
Andhra Pradesh - 2
Uttar Pradesh - 2
Odisha - 2
Ladakh - 1
Chandigarh - 1
Uttrakhand - 1
Tamil Nadu - 1
West Bengal - 1
2. PM MODI TO HOLD MEETING ON COVID SITUATION
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be holding a meeting on December 23 to review the prevailing Covid-19 situation in the country, as cases of the Omicron variant are rising. The Centre has already sent out letters to state health ministries detailing the actions and restrictions they should take to control the spread of Omicron.
3. DELHI CM ARVIND KEJRIWAL TO HOLD MEETING TO REVIEW OMICRON PREPARDNESS
Given the rising number of Omicron cases in Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will hold a review meeting on December 23 to evaluate the preparedness to tackle the new variant. Kejriwal is expected to discuss the preparations of hospital beds, medicines and home-isolation measures in light of a possible third wave of Covid-19 due to the Omicron variant. As of December 23 morning, Delhi has 64 confirmed cases of the Omicron variant.
4. DELHI GOVERNMENT BANS GATHERINGS ON CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR
On December 22, the Delhi government banned large-scale gatherings during Christmas and New Year. The district magistrates and District Disaster Management authority will now be responsible for controlling the spread of the disease. The DDMA said in the order, "All district magistrates shall conduct an intensive survey of the entire area falling under their jurisdiction and identify those pockets, markets and crowded places which have the potential of becoming superspreaders of coronavirus and its Omicron variant."
The order said that all DMs and DCPs shall deploy a sufficient number of enforcement teams in public areas to keep utmost vigil and enforce strict adherence to Covid-appropriate behaviour. The order also specified that all social, political, sports, entertainment, cultural and religious festival-related gatherings and congregations are prohibited throughout the NCT of Delhi. All restaurants and bars are allowed up to 50% seating capacity.
5. US APPROVES PFIZER ANTIVIRAL COVID-19 PILL
The US Food and Drug Administration approved the usage of the Pfizer antiviral Covid-19 pill on December 22. This authorisation makes this pill the first at-home treatment pill for coronavirus.The drug found in the Pfizer pill, Paxlovid, is a faster and a cheaper way to treat early Covid-19 infections. Initial supplies are expected to be extremely limited. The FDA has approved the Pfizer pill for all adults and children above 12 years of age and weighing at least 40 kilograms.
All of the previously authorised drugs against the disease have required an IV or an injection that requires careful adminstration. Dr Gregory Poland of Mayo Clinic said about the Pfizer pill, "The efficacy is high, the side effects are low and it's oral. It checks all the boxes. You're looking at a 90% decreased risk of hospitalisation and death in a high-risk group — that's stunning."