The Omicron variant, variant B.1.1.529, was first reported to WHO on 24 November 2021 and was classified as a variant of concern by WHO on 26 November 2021. The classification was made on the advice of the Technical Advisory Group on Virus Evolution, based primarily on information from South Africa that the variant has a large number of mutations and has caused a detrimental change in COVID-19 epidemiology.

Source: https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/coronavirus-disease-(covid-19)-variants-of-sars-cov-2

Last Updates on: 4 December 2021

It  appears to be a mild illness that can resemble the common cold, which is another form of the coronavirus. These symptoms can include sore throat, headache, cough, fatigue, congestion and runny nose.At present there is no information avaiable to suggest that Omicron causes different COVID-19 symptoms from other COVID-19 variants.

SOURCE:

https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/what-patients-may-ask-about-covid-19-omicron-variant

https://www.unicef.org/coronavirus/what-we-know-about-omicron-variant#symptoms

Last updated on: 29/December/2021 & 17/December/2021

Early findings suggest that Omicron might be less severe than the Delta variant, but more data is needed and WHO warns that it should not be dismissed as “mild”. Studies are ongoing and this information will be updated as it becomes available.

It is important to remember that all variants of COVID-19 can cause severe disease or death, including the Delta variant that is still dominant worldwide, which is why preventing the spread of the virus and reducing your risk of exposure to the virus is so important.

SOURCE: https://www.unicef.org/coronavirus/what-we-know-about-omicron-variant#severity

Last updated on: 17/December/2021

Omicron is spreading more quickly than other variants. Based on the information available, WHO believes it is likely that Omicron will outpace the Delta variant where there is COVID-19 transmission in the community.

Source: https://www.unicef.org/coronavirus/what-we-know-about-omicron-variant#transmissibility

Last updated on: 17 December, 2021

Research is ongoing into Omicron’s transmissibility. However, people who are mixing socially and those who are unvaccinated are more susceptible to contracting COVID-19.

Source: https://www.unicef.org/coronavirus/what-we-know-about-omicron-variant

Last updated on: 17 December, 2021

The precautions and steps to be taken remain the same as before.The most important thing we can do to reduce risk of exposure to the virus are

• Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth. Make sure that your hands are clean when you put on and remove your mask.
• Keep a physical distance of at least 1 meter from others.
• Avoid poorly ventilated or crowded spaces.
• Open windows to improve ventilation indoors.
• Wash your hands regularly.
• Take both doses of vaccines (if not yet vaccinated)WHO-approved COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective.

Source: https://www.unicef.org/coronavirus/what-we-know-about-omicron-variant#family

Last updated on: 17 December, 2021

Current vaccines are expected to protect against severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths due to infection with the Omicron variant. However, breakthrough infections in people who are fully vaccinated are likely to occur.The recent emergence of Omicron further emphasizes the importance of vaccination and boosters.

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/omicron-variant.html

Last updated on: 20 December, 2021

• Those tested omicron positive will be kept in isolation for a period of 10 days or if negative RT-PCR
• Thereafter home isolation for a week
• 14 days of isolation is calculated on the day of the test instead of onset of symptoms

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/us-cdcs-five-day-omicron-isolation-wont-work-in-india/articleshow/88579785.cms

Last updated on: 30 December, 2021

• Individuals who are unwell, who have not been fully vaccinated, or do not have proof of previous infection and are at increased risk of severe COVID-19, including people 60 years of age or older and those with comorbidities (such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes) are advised to postpone travel to areas with community transmission.
• Those who wish to travel should remain vigilant for signs and symptoms of COVID-19, to get vaccinated when it is their turn and to adhere to preventive measures at all times, regardless of their vaccination status.

Source: https://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/health-emergencies/coronavirus-covid-19/news/news/2021/12/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-new-omicron-covid-19-variant

Last updated on: 30 December, 2021

The asymptomatic cases are laboratory confirmed cases but not experiencing any symptoms and have oxygen saturation more than 93% (at room air).

Source: Revised Home Isolation Guidelines 05012022.pdf

Last updated on: 5 January, 2022

Clinically assigned mild cases are those who experience upper respiratory tract symptoms with or without fever, without shortness of breath and having oxygen saturation more than 93% (at room air).

Source: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/RevisedHomeIsolationGuidelines05012022.pdf

Last update on: 5 January, 2022

1. for Mild cases admitted to a COVID Care Facility or under home isolation will undergo regular health monitoring. The patient shall be discharged after at least 7 days have passed from testing positive and with no fever for 3 successive days. There is no need for testing prior to discharge.
2. for Moderate cases admitted to Dedicated COVID Health Centre
   1. Patients whose signs and symptoms resolve and maintain saturation above 93% for 3 successive days (without oxygen support), and stable comorbidities, if any, such patients will be discharged as per the advice of the treating medical officer. There is no need for testing prior to discharge.
   2. Patients on oxygen whose signs and symptoms do not resolve, and demand of oxygen therapy continues Such patients will be discharged as per the advice of the treating medical officer only after  resolution of clinical symptoms, ability to maintain prescribed oxygen saturation for 3 successive days without oxygen support, stable comorbidities, if any.
3. In case of Severe Cases including immunocompromised (HIV patients, transplant recipients, malignancy etc.) Discharge criteria for severe cases will be based on clinical recovery at the discretion of the treating medical officer.

Source: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/RevisedDischargePolicyforCOVID19updatedon9thJanuary2022.pdf

Last updated on : January 9, 2022

Elderly patients aged more than 60 years and those with comorbid conditions tested positive for Covid- 19 shall only be allowed for home isolation after proper evaluation by the treating medical officer.

Source: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/RevisedHomeIsolationGuidelines05012022.pdf

Last updated on: 5 January, 2022

Patients suffering from immunocompromised status are not recommended for home isolation and shall only be allowed home isolation after proper evaluation by the treating Medical Officer.

Source: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/RevisedHomeIsolationGuidelines05012022.pdf

Last updated on: January 5, 2022

Patients under home isolation will stand discharged and end isolation after at least 7 days have passed from the day tested positive and no fever for 3 successive days and they shall continue wearing masks. There is no need for retesting after the home isolation period is over.

Source: Revised (Guidelines For Home Isolation of Mild /Asymptomatic COVID-19 Cases) https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/RevisedIllustratedGuidelinesforHomeIsolationofMildAsymptomaticCOVID19Cases.pdf

Last updated on: 12 January, 2022

WHO reports that early evidence suggests that previous infection could offer less protection against Omicron in comparison to other variants of concern, such as Delta. Information is still limited though and we will share updates as it becomes available.

You should get vaccinated even if you’ve previously had COVID-19. While people who recover from COVID-19 may develop some natural immunity to the virus, we do not yet know how long it lasts or how well you are protected. Vaccines offer more reliable protection.

Source: https://www.unicef.org/coronavirus/what-we-know-about-omicron-variant#reinfection

Updated on: 17 December, 2021

Risk of hospitalization is lower for Omicron cases after 2 and 3 doses of vaccine, with an 81% (77 to 85%) reduction in the risk of hospitalization after 3 doses compared to unvaccinated Omicron cases.

Source: Technical-Briefing-31-Dec-2021-Omicron_severity_update.pdf

Updated on: 30 December, 2021

No, children under 5 years of age are exempted from both pre- and post-arrival testing. However, if found symptomatic for COVID-19 on arrival or during home quarantine period, they shall undergo testing.

Source: RevisedGuidelinesforInternationalArrivalsdated20thJanuary2022.pdf

Updated on: 20 January, 2022

Genome Sequencing is done for surveillance purposes and is not required to be undertaken for treatment purposes.It is to be performed only in a subset of positive samples as per recommendations of INSACOG (Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Surveillance Consortium).The newer SARS-CoV-2 Omicron or variant detection rRTPCR assays are recommended to be used in areas with limited genomic surveillance capacity for quick detection of emergence of newer variants in such areas.

Source: https://www.icmr.gov.in/pdf/covid/strategy/Advisory_COVID_Testing_10012022.pdf

Last updated on: January 10, 2022

1. All travellers should – Submit complete and factual information in self-declaration form on the online Air Suvidha portal before the scheduled travel, including last 14 days travel details.
2. Upload a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR report*. The report should have been conducted within 72 hrs prior to undertaking the journey
3. Decision of appropriate government authority to undergo home/institutional quarantine/ self-health monitoring.
4. Continuing with the earlier approach, travellers from certain specified Countries (based on epidemiological situation of COVID-19 in those Countries) are identified for additional follow up.
5. All travellers who need to undertake testing on arrival, should preferably pre-book the test online on Air Suvidha Portal, to facilitate timely testing.

Source: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/RevisedGuidelinesforInternationalArrivaldated20thJanuary2022.pdf

Last updated on: January 20, 2022

Individuals who are originating or transiting from at-risk countries will undergo post arrival testing, quarantine if tested negative, home quarantine for 7 days and shall undertake RTPCR test on the 8th day repeat RT-PCR test for COVID-19 upload negative report on Air Suvidha portal (to be monitored by the respective States/UTs).

However, if tested positive, their samples will be further sent for genomic testing at INSACOG laboratory network and shall be treated/isolated as per laid down standard protocol.The contacts of such positive case should be kept under home quarantine and monitored strictly by the concerned State Government as per laid down protocol.

Source: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/RevisedGuidelinesforInternationalArrivaldated20thJanuary2022.pdf

Last updated on: January 20, 2022

2% of the total flight preferably from different countries shall undergo post-arrival testing at random at the airport on arrival and Laboratories shall prioritize testing of samples from such travellers. All travellers (including those 2% who were selected for random testing on arrival and were found negative) will undergo home quarantine for 7 days and shall undertake RT-PCR test on the 8th day of arrival in India. Travelers shall also be required to upload results of repeat RT-PCR test for COVID-19 done on 8th day on Air Suvidha portal. If the 8th day RT-PCR test is negative, they will further self-monitor their health for the next 7 days. However, if such travellers are tested positive, their samples should be further sent for genomic testing and isolated according to standard protocol.

Source: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/RevisedGuidelinesforInternationalArrivaldated20thJanuary2022.pdf

Last updated on: January 20, 2022