Fresh concerns as Covid-19 cases rise

The rapid rise in Covid-19 infections in recent days has brought fresh concerns for the public health authorities. According to data by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), a total of 557 cases were reported in the 24 hours to 8am on January 2, 2022, while the number was 370 in the preceding 24 hours. The DGHS data also shows that daily infections have increased by 60 percent this week, compared to last week. Given the fact that countries around the world have been struggling with fresh surges in cases since the emergence of the highly transmissible Omicron variant, it is likely that we will also see a significant increase in cases in the coming days. A number of Omicron infections have already been reported here. India has also reported a rapid increase in Covid cases in recent weeks, which is believed to be propelled by Omicron. This means we need to take immediate measures to prevent any massive, community spread of the new variant.

One of the most effective ways to fight the virus for us would be to expedite our vaccination drives, which will surely reduce hospitalisations and deaths. The fact that more than half of our population have yet to receive the first dose of Covid vaccine is something that should worry us. While it is good to know that the government plans to vaccinate all eligible citizens with a double-dose vaccine by June and a booster dose by the end of this year, it will need a massive operation aided by proper planning and execution on part of the authorities.

The DGHS data also shows that around 82 percent of the 91 people who died of coronavirus infections in December were not vaccinated—thus, the need for strengthening the vaccination drives. Since research suggests that booster doses are effective against the Omicron variant—because an additional dose increases the level of antibodies to fight the virus—the government's booster campaign should also gain momentum this time around, bringing more vulnerable people under its purview.

Another worrying finding about Omicron is that it is infecting more women than men globally. Thus, while continuing with its vaccination drive, the government must ensure that more women—both urban and rural—register for the vaccines. It also needs to ascertain whether women are finding the registration process more complicated or if they are discouraged to be vaccinated in any way, and try to address the issue.

In other words, we need to ensure wide, inclusive vaccination coverage to fight this new variant as well as any future surges.