Maharashtra warns against complacency over Omicron-led Covid wave

The wave will be equally fatal for those who are not vaccinated and have comorbidities, an official said

Amid a surge of Covid-19 in the state, the Maharashtra government has warned of an 'explosion' with a possibility of 80 lakh cases and 80,000 deaths.

The Maharashtra government has asked officials to be on alert and asked people to not be complacent and maintain Covid-appropriate behaviour in the wake of the third wave.

“Number of Covid infections in the third wave is going to be very huge. Even if one per cent case fatality is presumed, we can still land up with 80,000 deaths, if there are 80 lakh Covid cases in the third wave,” additional chief secretary (health) Dr Pradeep Vyas said in a note to divisional commissioners, district collectors, municipal commissioners and chief executive officers of zilla parishads.

“…So do not be lulled by the narrative that the third Covid wave Omicron wave is mild and not fatal. It is equally fatal for those who are not vaccinated and have comorbidities,” he added.

Read | Omicron less severe as it mostly avoids attacking lungs: Report

Dr Vyas pointed out that genomic sequencing results show that we still have the Delta variant in more than 70 per cent of cases and the figures vary from district to district. Referring to the US, Europe and South Africa where the hospitalisation rate is lesser compared with the rapid increase in the Covid cases, Dr Vyas said medical opinion is divided on whether this is owing to the inherent nature of Omicron or due to the vaccination which was not available in the first and second waves.

"There are studies to show that Covid disease even in the present wave has been severe in unvaccinated persons... who are at as much risk (or rather more) as in the second wave (last year)," Dr Vyas cautioned. “The ICU, ventilator, oxygen and general bed requirement for each district is calculated based on Union government guidelines, it is possible that each district may not require this much infrastructure immediately or during the third wave,” he said.

The district administrations are advised to prepare the plan with minimum disturbance to non-Covid services and saving resources.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray said that he was monitoring and assessing the situation and if need be would speak in next few days.

Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar pointed out that strict restrictions would be enforced if the cases continue to rise in the state. “We have 10 ministers and 20 MLAs who tested Covid-19 positive. Everybody wants to be part of the celebrations of New Year, birthdays and other occasions. Keep in mind that the new variant (Omicron) spreads fast and hence caution is needed,” he said.

Pawar pointed out that prime minister Narendra Modi has appealed and some states have announced a night curfew. “In Maharashtra, cases are increasing in Mumbai and Pune….If the number of patients continues to rise then there will be strict restrictions. To avoid strict restrictions everybody should follow norms," he said.

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