India adds more than 46K active Covid cases in 6 days

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 2

As new Covid infections in India rose for the fifth straight day with 61 per cent rise in active cases in six days, the Health Ministry told states that Omicron-induced surge could overwhelm health systems and the need to be prepared was pressing.

Omicron count reaches 1,525

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Omicron cases rose to 1,525 on Sunday, with Maharashtra recording a maximum of 460 cases, Delhi 351, Gujarat 136, Tamil Nadu 117 and Kerala 109. Delhi reported 3,194 Covid cases, the highest single-day rise since May 20, as the positivity rate rose to 4.59 per cent.

Ramp up infra

States should leave no stone unturned in ramping up the infrastructure to manage a high surge so that India escapes unscathed from this episode of Covid. — Mansukh Mandaviya, Health Minister

Noting that nations globally were experiencing Omicron-related surges which were three to four times the previous peak levels, Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, in a review meeting with states and UTs, today said no stone could be left unturned in the mission to ramp up the health infrastructure.

He reminded the states that they had used a tad more than 17 per cent of the available approved funds under the Emergency Covid Response Package (ECRP-II).

The package was released last year to help states prepare for a potential third wave and set up oxygen and paediatric beds, medical oxygen plants, ventilators and operationalise Covid facilities for institutional quarantining, besides arranging for ambulances.

“Globally, countries are experiencing three to four times the surge in Covid cases in comparison to their earlier peaks. The Omicron variant being highly transmissible, a high surge in cases can overwhelm the medical system. States should leave no stone unturned in ramping up the infrastructure to manage a high surge so that India escapes unscathed from this episode of Covid,” Mandaviya told the meeting held in virtual mode.

The minister also held a discussion on various aspects of Covid management, including ramping up of the hospital infrastructure, increased testing, stringent restrictive measures for breaking the chain of transmission and stress on Covid-appropriate behaviour. Critical bottlenecks in the medical infrastructure were discussed, with Mandaviya urging the states to expedite the ECRP-II progress.