The number of COVID-19 cases in India has risen sharply in the previous 24 hours to 58,097, according to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. So far, a total of 2,135 cases of the Omicron variety of coronavirus have been identified across the nation.
The death toll rose to 4,82,551 as 354 more individuals died due to the deadly infectious sickness.
The current COVID active caseload in India is 2,14,004, according to the health ministry’s 8 am bulletin. Active cases account for fewer than 1% of total cases, which stands at 0.61 per cent. According to the MoHFW, 15,389 coronavirus patients have recovered in the previous 24 hours, bringing the overall number of recoveries to 3,43,21,803.
India has been accelerating its immunisation campaign across the country. Those aged 15 to 18 are now getting immunised. Over 147 crore vaccine doses have been provided in India, marking an important milestone in the fight against COVID-19.
The current recovery rate is 98.01 per cent. In the previous 24 hours, at least 15,389 individuals have recovered. There are a total of 3,43,21,803 persons who have recovered.
As Covid instances continue to grow, some states have enacted limitations such as night curfews. Meanwhile, Maharashtra (653 Omicron cases), Delhi (464), Kerala (185), and Rajasthan have been the worst-affected states in the country (174 cases).
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) has cautioned that the global increase in Omicron cases may raise the possibility of the creation of newer and more severe varieties.
Omicron alert: Union health ministry revises home isolation rules. Details here
Amid a ‘third wave’ warning as India records a whopping spike in daily Covid-19 cases, the Union health ministry on Wednesday released revised guidelines for home isolation for mild and asymptomatic infections and said that such patients will “stand discharged and end isolation after at least seven days have passed from testing positive and no fever for 3 successive days”.
“There is no need for re-testing after the home isolation period is over,” the guidelines stated.
Although Omicron is taking over the world and India at a rapid speed, most cases so far have not resulted in hospitalisation. Even in the case of the previous, more severe variants like Delta, the majority of the infections had resulted in home isolation.
“It has been seen globally as well as in India that majority of cases of Covid-19 are either asymptomatic or have very mild symptoms. Such cases usually recover with minimal interventions and accordingly may be managed at home under proper medical guidance and monitoring,” the health ministry stated.
Here are the revised guidelines for home isolation:
- The patient should be “clinically assigned as mild/ asymptomatic case” by the treating medical officer. A designated control room contact number should also be provided to the family to get suitable guidance for testing, clinical management-related guidance, assignment of a hospital bed etc.
- Such patients should have the requisite facility at their residence for self-isolation and for quarantining the family contacts.
- A caregiver, ideally fully vaccinated, should be available 24×7 basis for assistance.
- Elderly persons above 60 years and those with co-morbid conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, chronic lung/liver/ kidney disease, cerebrovascular disease etc. shall only be allowed home isolation after proper evaluation by the treating medical officer.
- The patient should isolate themselves from other members of the house.
- All other members present at the residence should follow home quarantine rules while the Covid patient is self-isolating.
- Patients should wear triple layer clinical masks, preferably an N-95 mask. They are also advised to have self-monitoring of body temperature, as well as blood oxygen levels with a pulse oximeter.
- Covid-19 patients should drink plenty of water, fluids and follow respiratory etiquettes at all times, and follow frequent hand hygiene and sanitisation norms.
- The district administration should monitor home isolation cases on a daily basis.
- Asymptomatic contacts of infected individuals need not undergo Covid test and monitor health during home quarantine.
