In Chandigarh, the two new Omicron cases are family members of the 20-year-old Italian resident, who was UT’s first Omicron case. Chandigarh’s Omicron tally now stands at three, of which two patients have already recovered and only one is an active case. 5 family members of P’kula woman in quarantine. After testing positive on December 18, the 23-year-old was found negative for Covid-19 during a re-test on December 25 (Saturday). Though her institutional quarantine period is now over, she will continue to be in-home isolation.
Punjab: Genome sequencing shows Delta variant in all positive cases
Five of her family members have also been placed under home quarantine. They were tested for Covid-19 immediately after she was found infected. In the first test, they had all tested negative, but they may be tested again. The genome sequencing reports of 3 are pending. After the Italian resident was found positive for the Omicron variant, the samples of his five family contacts were also sent for genome sequencing to Delhi.
Also, the Italy returnee had been asymptomatic throughout and was fully vaccinated with Pfizer vaccine taken in Italy. He has already been discharged. Samples of five of his contacts were sent to the National Centre for Disease Control, Delhi. Genome sequencing reports of the remaining three are pending. They all had tested negative on December 24 and were discharged. “All the Omicron cases had been fully vaccinated. That might be the reason they are asymptomatic,” said the official.
At the same time, the Covid positivity rate, which was less than 1% for four months, has increased to 1%. Omicron is the newest variant of the COVID 19 coronavirus. The questionable scenario is whether the vaccines are working or not. Research is being carried out and effective measures are being taken. Let us hope for the best.
