AGRA: Following reports of the detection of a new variant of coronavirus (B.1.1.529, renamed Omicron) in South Africa, Botswana, Hong Kong, Israel and Belgium, the health department in Agra district has sounded an alert to check visitors from these countries, who come to see the Taj Mahal as well as for business the with makers of shoes and carpets.
According to healthcare experts, the Omicron is said to be spreading faster than Delta, another variant of the coronavirus. It has over 30 mutations, more than any other variant, and experts fear it may be resistant to vaccines.
Given the scenario which has prompted countries like the US to ban travel to African countries, the health department here is preparing to face any eventuality as Agra city witnesses a huge footfall of both foreign and domestic visitors, especially in winter.
Dr Arun Kumar Srivastava, chief medical officer of Agra district, said, “Four rapid response teams have been constituted to gather details of the people with recent travel history to foreign countries. All these people will be screened by doctors and they will have to undergo RT-PCR test after eight days of their arrival. We will also vaccinate people screened if they have not been administered a dose . Hotel associations have been asked to report people with recent travel history checking in. All the hospitals have also been directed to be prepared to prevent the spread of the new variant of Covid-19.”
The CMO added, “So far, a majority of the people tested with Omicron variant are asymptomatic. Therefore, we will have to do health surveillance on people with recent travel history for at least 14 days. Those having any symptoms will be isolated. Arrangements are being made in this regard,” the CMO said.
The health department on Saturday released two contact numbers -- 0562-2600418 and 2600508 -- to get information regarding people with overseas travel history.
The last case of Covid-19 in Agra was reported on November 20. A 50-year-old representative of a shoe company, who had travelled to Poland, is the only active Covid-19 case in the district. The health department had sent the samples of the man for genome sequencing. The lab report is awaited, the CMO said.
