Delhi CM Kejriwal Chairs Meet To Discuss Concerns Regarding 'Omicron' Variant Of Covid-19

The Delhi government has designated the Lok Nayak Hospital to treat patients infected with the new Covid-19 'Omicron' variant, decision has been taken by the Health and Family Department of Delhi.

Arvind Kejriwal (File Photo)

New Delhi: The Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal headed a meeting to discuss the concerns of a possible third wave due to the new variant of coronavirus 'Omicron' with the city's Health Minister Satyendra Jain and other senior officials.

The World Health Organization which declared it variant of concern said the overall risk from Omicron was very high, the health organization also warned that any surge could put pressure on the health systems and could cause more deaths. Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) was first reported in Botswana on November 11, 2021, and appeared on November 14 in South Africa.

According to an ANI source, the meeting in Delhi Secretariat has been attended by the Chief Secretary, Health Department officials, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) Commissioner and DMs of all the districts. Earlier, the Delhi government on Monday, in a meeting of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), chaired by Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal, decided RT-PCR tests will be conducted on all passengers arriving from six high-risk countries.

The Delhi government has designated the Lok Nayak Hospital to treat patients infected with the new Covid-19 'Omicron' variant. This decision has been taken by the Health and Family Department of Delhi, which then issued an order setting new guidelines by the Central government for international travellers in the context of the new variant, say an ANI report. 

"Lok Nayak Hospital will designate one or more separate wards ( as per need) for isolating and treating such patients...It is hereby directed that no COVID-18 patient of the new variant of SARS-CoV-2 will be denied admission on any ground," the order stated.