In India, the number of Omicron (new highly infectious covid variant) cases are gradually increasing. According to the latest reports, the country has come close to recording 100 Omicron
cases, 97 to be exact. Even as the new virus spreads, large election rallies are being held in five poll-bound states of Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Goa Uttarakhand and Manipur.
The country is yet to fully overcome the devastation caused by the second wave of coronavirus. Last year, events like Maha Kumbh and state elections where massive rallies were launched by
several political parties were the superspreaders of deadly Covid.
Almost a year after the catastrophe, is India ready for the next wave, probably triggered by Omicron? Should India not take measures to prevent any such super spreader ever? Could the nature
of elections campaigns be changed?
Punjab
The state election commission is concerned about the possibility of a substantial increase in Omicron cases during the months of January and February when election activities will be in
full gear in Punjab.
Meanwhile, the Punjab government is preparing to resume testing to the over 40,000 daily counts. The state also intends to focus on random testing of school students and those clustered
in crowded places.
On Sunday, the state recorded its first Omicron case. A vaccinated 20-year-old man, who recently returned from Italy, has been tested positive for the Omicron in Chandigarh.
He has been in institutional quarantine for 11 days.
He arrived in India from Italy on November 22. Despite having no symptoms, he underwent a retest after the home quarantine period and was confirmed to have the presence of Omicron variant.
Uttar Pradesh
The boll bound state ruled by the BJP government is under alert as at least 130 people who travelled to India from abroad are still missing in the Moradabad district of Uttar Pradesh.
According to a report from the Moradabad Health Department, 519 individuals from other countries visited Moradabad in the past, with 130 of them going missing. In such a situation, there
is a worry that Omicron may spread in the election season.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been visiting the state regularly in recent weeks to inaugurate or lay the groundwork for a variety of projects, highlighting the achievements
of both the Centre and the Yogi Adityanath-led government. Thousands of people, flaunting Covid rules, are gathering in such an event, rising concerns of health experts.
Recently, the Prime Minister inaugurated the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in Varanasi, where a huge crowd was witnessed.
Uttarakhand
The government of Uttarakhand is on high alert due to the emergence of Omicron coronavirus.
"We're aware of Omicron; we've had lots of discussions and high-level committee meetings on the issue. We're doing random testing all over the place, with a goal of 25,000
tests every day. We're also educating people," remarked CM Pushkar Singh Dhami.
The government of Uttarakhand has stated that all travellers will be subjected to mandatory tests. They will be isolated for 14 days if they test positive or show symptoms.
For genome sequencing, all Covid-19 samples will be sent to the Government Medical College in Dehradun. Random testing will also be conducted on the state's borders.
Goa and Manipur like other poll-bound states have issued their guidelines for international travellers. Testing in these states has been increased.
However, a huge crowd will probably be seen gathering at several places in poll-bound states. People are advised to follow Covid protocols to prevent Omicron outbreak on the third wave of
Covid in India.