Patients with respiratory symptoms told to get tested for Covid

Naina Mishra

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 30

Amid speculation around new Covid variant, Omicron, PGI community health experts have advised that patients with respiratory symptoms like cough, cold and difficulty in breathing should get themselves tested for Covid-19 and isolate themselves till the reports are available.

Prof PVM Lakshmi from the Department of Community Medicine and Public Health said, “There is still uncertainty related to transmissibility, immune escape potential (from infection and vaccine-induced immunity), severity of disease and response to available countermeasures like diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics. At present, there is no evidence of importation and transmission of the Omicron in the Indian subcontinent. However, given its immune escape potential and possible transmissibility advantage as compared to Delta (as indicated by the rapid surge in South Africa), likelihood of potential introduction and subsequent transmission of Omicron is high and we need to be alert.”

Prof Mini P Singh, professor and nodal officer, Covid-19 testing at PGI, informed that the existing diagnostic tests, including the real time PCR and rapid antigen, could pick up this new variant.

The emergence of Omicron (B.1.1.529), a new variant of concern of SARS-CoV-2, has attracted worldwide attention. This variant is believed to have originated in South Africa in an immune-compromised patient. Since then it has been detected in Botswana, Belgium, Hong Kong, Israel and some European countries.

PGI experts advised tricity residents to continue following Covid-appropriate behaviour and ensure vaccination of all eligible individuals. Mass gatherings and non-essential travel should be strictly avoided.

Dr Lakshmi highlighted that enhanced surveillance would be important to detect the early warning signs and prompt initiation of public health and social measures.