Covid 2023: This time not unprepared
India has learnt from early fumbles. A ramp-up plan to ensure there is no shortage - infrastructural, logistical and human - must be instituted. Masking in crowded places, both indoors and outdoors, must be strictly imposed.
By ET Bureau | Updated:
BCCL
Just when one thought the coronavirus was on its way to being confined in the history books, there is news of resurgence in various parts of the globe as scattered as China, the US, Japan, South Korea and Brazil. As on Wednesday, India recorded at least 4 cases of the Omicron sub-variant BF.7 that is responsible for the current surge in China. Studies have already indicated that it is highly infectious, spreading fastest among all variants. BF.7 may even be more dangerous than its predecessors, even to those fully vaccinated. For India, staying alert and strengthening surveillance without going into panic mode are non-negotiable.
GoI's decision to step up genome sequencing for new variants and the call for mask usage are reassuring. These efforts must be backed by health plans at the local level. Directives to states to send positive samples for genome sequencing through the Indian Sars Cov-2 Genomics Consortium (Insacog) network is important. Besides alerting to new variants, it will help map any surge and in taking requisite public health measures. Despite concerns about a vaccine-agnostic BF.7, vaccination must return to the priority zone. While 70% of Indians are fully vaccinated, only 27% have taken the booster shot. Getting boostered must be incentivised, while those at risk - senior citizens, those with comorbidities, and healthcare and frontline workers - should get additional precautionary booster shots.
India has learnt from early fumbles. A ramp-up plan to ensure there is no shortage - infrastructural, logistical and human - must be instituted. Masking in crowded places, both indoors and outdoors, must be strictly imposed. On monitoring of international travellers, GoI should reintroduce the Air Suvidha self-declaration by passengers. Neither citizens nor the economy deserves another shock. For that, precaution and caution are a must, along with science-based systems that are complied with by citizens and authorities. This time, we don't have the excuse of being caught off guard.
GoI's decision to step up genome sequencing for new variants and the call for mask usage are reassuring. These efforts must be backed by health plans at the local level. Directives to states to send positive samples for genome sequencing through the Indian Sars Cov-2 Genomics Consortium (Insacog) network is important. Besides alerting to new variants, it will help map any surge and in taking requisite public health measures. Despite concerns about a vaccine-agnostic BF.7, vaccination must return to the priority zone. While 70% of Indians are fully vaccinated, only 27% have taken the booster shot. Getting boostered must be incentivised, while those at risk - senior citizens, those with comorbidities, and healthcare and frontline workers - should get additional precautionary booster shots.
India has learnt from early fumbles. A ramp-up plan to ensure there is no shortage - infrastructural, logistical and human - must be instituted. Masking in crowded places, both indoors and outdoors, must be strictly imposed. On monitoring of international travellers, GoI should reintroduce the Air Suvidha self-declaration by passengers. Neither citizens nor the economy deserves another shock. For that, precaution and caution are a must, along with science-based systems that are complied with by citizens and authorities. This time, we don't have the excuse of being caught off guard.
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