Omicron: Far West on high alert

The number of coronavirus infections is increasing daily in the districts of the far western states. As the new variant, Omicron, spreads rapidly in the Indian capital, Delhi, its effects are felt in the region as well.

According to the health directorate, infections are being confirmed in most of the people returning from India. On Thursday alone, 120 people were confirmed infected in the state. Earlier, 5 infections were confirmed on Sunday, 28 on Monday, 40 on Tuesday, and 55 on Wednesday.

It is said that there is a high risk of 'Omicron' there as the number of Nepalis returning home from work is also increasing as the infection is increasing in Delhi, Karnataka, Gujarat, and other cities in India. Health checks have been tightened at the border. Chief of the Health Office Baitadi, Yogesh Prasad Bhat, informed that a health desk has been set up at the border and testing is being done through antigen testing.

He said, "In order to prevent the risk, tests are being carried out at the border and those who test positive are kept in isolation."

In addition, the District Administration Office Baitadi has called for mandatory adherence to public health standards in transportation, schools, and congested areas. The vaccination campaign has been intensified due to the risk of Omicron, said Hemraj Joshi, a co-ordinator of the Far-Western Provincial Health Directorate. "As the far-western states are at high risk, arrangements have been made to test and vaccinate people returning from India," he said.

More than 50 percent have been vaccinated in the state so far. In addition, health check-ups and holding centers have been set up at the border more effectively and health teams have been deployed for stronger management than in the past.

Due to the open border with India, there are some challenges in controlling the transmission, the directorate said. In the past, people used to come from India through illegal checkpoints. Of the 435,725 tested in the state so far, 48,519 have been infected. A total of 614 people have died in the state due to the infection.

In all the districts, 392 isolation beds, 134 HDUs, 126 covid HDUs, 63 ICUs, 48 ​​covid ICU beds, 45 ventilators, and 26 covid ventilators are in readiness.

A vaccination campaign against coronavirus is also underway at all local levels of the state. The government has also urged everyone to be vaccinated.