The new variant of Corona found in Africa has created panic everywhere. The central government is in action mode, hospitals are taking stock of their arrangements and the state governments have also been alerted. New rules are being made, old ones are being implemented again. It has been ordered in Chandigarh UT that if someone is found without a mask in a public place, then the challan will be done and the guilty may also have to undergo a Covid test. This is the high season for weddings and people in general have become most careless. Meanwhile, disturbing news is pouring in from everywhere. Conflicting statements are being heard regarding the new variant - Omicron. As research is going on the world over and the situation is being monitored round the clock, it is difficult to say anything with certainty about the fate of the coming days. Taking no chances, the central government has extended the measures to control Covid19 till December 31. It means the New Year party is over. This is news of concern for hotels, but this is also bad news for all of us. Everything from partying to fun making may be put on hold till the normalcy returns.
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya made a statement in the Parliament on Tuesday that “no case of Omicron has been found in India so far. It was first detected in South Africa and has been reported from over a dozen countries, including the UK, Germany, Japan and Hong Kong. India has learned a lot during the pandemic and the country is capable of managing any untoward situation.” The Central Government's 3TV mantra to deal with Corona is 'Test, Track, Treat and Vaccinate'. The countries that the health ministry has placed in the 'high risk' category are the UK, South Africa, Brazil, Bangladesh, Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Singapore, Hong Kong and Israel. Steps such as testing, quarantining and tracing of passengers sitting on the adjacent seats of Covid positive passenger besides the air crew and their isolation has to be done from 1st December onwards. For this, all international airports have been alerted and necessary arrangements are being made.
It is noteworthy that the Omicron variant of Corona spreads rapidly, but its symptoms are found to be "very mild" though they are different. In Johannesburg, South Africa, about 90% of infections are due to the Omicron strain, but there has been no significant increase in mortality or hospitalization rates. In such a situation, some experts are also expressing hope that the Corona, which has come in a new form, may prove good for humanity. That is, if the new variant of Corona replaces the Delta variant worldwide, then it can prove to be good news. In India Alpha variant was the first, then came Beta, followed by Delta, which was the most dangerous and caused huge destruction during the second wave. Until the situation becomes clear, and the threat of Corona is not completely gone, wearing a mask is an effective solution. It is good to maintain hygiene and social distance from friends, relatives and acquaintances. Let us hope for good.

Writer is a senior journalist and columnist
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