Says the Omicron variant is fast replacing all other variants but is not fatal
Sunday, 16 January 2022 | PNS | Dehradun
The genome sequencing of the samples tested positive for the Covid-19 in Uttarakhand has revealed presence of Omicron variant of the virus in 54 per cent of the samples. The director general (DG) of state health service, Dr Tripti Bahuguna said that the genome sequencing of 2,255 samples which were found positive for Covid-19 was done at the laboratory of Government Doon Medical College (GDMC). She said that genome sequencing reports of 159 samples have come and out of them the presence of Omicron variant has been confirmed in 85 samples. The lab of the GDMC hospital is doing genome sequencing of 15 per cent of the total positive cases in the state.
The DG said that one should remain vigilant regarding the new variant but there is no need to fear it. She said that there is a need to change our behaviour as per the new variant and the alertness would save people from the pandemic. Dr Bahuguna said that the Omicron variant is replacing all other variants and the effects are not fatal. “Most of the people infected by it are showing mild symptoms or are asymptomatic. The patients are getting cured in home isolation,’’ she said.
The DG said that the Omicron variant is not proving as a major threat to public health but added that the people should not become complacent and continue following the Covid appropriate behaviour.
