Can’t contain Omicron spread if people fail to follow safety steps: Health Secy

CHENNAI: Unless there is a visible change of behaviour among the people and strict enforcement of wearing masks, social distancing, hand washing and ensuring ventilation in closed places, and increasing the pace of vaccinations, it would be difficult and impossible to contain the spread of Omicron variant and the already existing Delta, Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan warned district Collectors and Greater Chennai Corporation officials in a letter on Saturday.

Many including even the faculty, staff and students of medical colleges and other hospitals were not wearing masks, while perimeter control and demarcation of COVID and Omicron special wards were not being implemented strictly, he said. This is particularly concerning in the case of Omicron, as the symptoms are very mild and a person may not even know that he is sick and would unknowingly spread it.

Citing the preliminary data on contact tracing, the official said that it clearly shows that the spread among close contacts and in closed, unventilated rooms was significantly and extremely high in the case of the Omicron variant.

Radhakrishnan instructed the local authorities to ensure stringent implementation of the SOPs. Due to high transmissibility of the latest coronavirus variant, all who come in for test should be asked to remain in self-isolation till the results come to avoid further spread in case the result is positive.

The Corporation, Collectors and local authorities were asked to intensify the vigil and ensure that SOPs were followed during gatherings and containment measures based on the number of cases detected should be put in place along with contact tracing.

Those who do not have travel history but have symptoms should also be tested and followed up to find the source of infection in case their test results are positive. Radhakrishnan also stressed on ensuring vaccination of those who are due and overdue to receive the shot.