No need to panic over Omicron BA2, says BMC official

The BMC did a sero survey of 299 COVID-19
patients in the first week of March and
90 per cent samples had the Omicron BA2 variant

MUMBAI:  Even as experts have expressed fears about the new variant Deltacron, and many places in China and Europe are facing a surge of the Omicron BA2 variant, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation says Mumbaikars need not be scared. Officials said BA2 has been in Mumbai for a long time and won’t cause any major chaos.

 

 

The BMC did a sero survey of 299 COVID-19 patients in the first week of March and 90 per cent samples had the Omicron BA2 variant. “As per our experience, the BA2 variant has existed in Mumbai for a long time. Therefore, the possibility of another wave is little,” said Additional Municipal Commissioner Suresh Kakani, in an interview to Mumbai Mid-Day newspaper.

 

“Of the 299 patients’ samples tested on March 2, 271 were found to have the BA2 variant, 14 patients had the BA1 variant and 13 patients had the BA1.1 variant. One patient was detected with the B1.1 variant,” said Kakani. As per the BMC Covid-19 dashboard, there are 268 active patients, of which 5 patients are in the Intensive Care Unit. Of active patients, 233 are asymptomatic and 35 are symptomatic. A total of 23 patients are in hospitals.

 

A total of 2,04,86,710 COVID vaccine doses, including the first and the second, have been administered so far in Mumbai. At least 99 per cent of the adult population has been fully vaccinated as per the BMC. Twenty three of the 24 patients who died were not vaccinated. While Kakani said there is little possibility of another wave, the BMC is prepared for one.

 

“The BMC is prepared for the possibility of the COVID-19 fourth wave. We have reviewed the setup of COVID centres and hospitals and identified quarantine centres if required. If the patients’ number increases, we will be ready to handle them in a short time. Officials have been regularly taking a review of medical oxygen and medicines,” Mr. Kakani told the newspaper.