Omicron 3 times more contagious than Delta, enforce containment measures: Centre writes to states

Amidst a fresh surge in Covid-19 cases and a sharp uptick in detection of the Omicron variant, the Centre on Tuesday wrote to all state governments regarding preventive measures required to be taken in different parts of the country, at this stage.

Union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan, in his letter, also asserted that Omicron is three times as infectious as the Delta variant of coronavirus and war rooms must be activated to contain it.

"Omicron is at least 3 times more transmissible than Delta. Hence, even greater foresight, data analysis, dynamic decision making and strict and prompt containment action are required at the local and district level," wrote Bhushan.


"Kindly activate the War rooms/EOCs (Emergency Operation Centre) and keep analysing all trends and surges, no matter how small and keep taking proactive action at the district/local level," he added.

“At the district level there should be a constant review of emerging data regarding the population affected by Covid-19, geographical spread, hospital infrastructure and its utilization, manpower, notifying containment zones, enforcement of perimeter of containment zones etc," he added.


“This evidence should be the basis for effective decision making at the district level itself. Such a strategy ensures that infection is contained at the local-level itself before it spreads to other parts of the state," he further said.

The Union Health Ministry on Tuesday said that 200 cases of Omicron variant of the coronavirus have been detected across 12 states and union territories in India so far, out of whom 77 patients have recovered or migrated.

Maharashtra and Delhi have recorded 54 cases each of the Omicron variant.