Omicron reaches Mumbai's Dharavi: Can this trigger mass infection?

As per BMC, a returnee from Tanzania has been found positive for the Omicron variant in Dharavi.

File Photo

New Delhi: Mumbai’s Dharavi has reported a case of Omicron variant. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Friday (December 10) confirmed that the person returned from Tanzania and now has been admitted at Seven Hills Hospital. 

The Mumbai civic body, as per ANI, said, "The patient is asymptomatic and is not vaccinated; currently admitted at Seven Hills Hospital, Mumbai. Two people who had come to receive the patient have been traced as well."

#UPDATE | The patient is asymptomatic and is not vaccinated; currently admitted at Seven Hills Hospital, Mumbai. Two people who had come to receive the patient have been traced as well: BMC — ANI (@ANI) December 10, 2021

Dharavi, spread over 2.1 sq km, triggers concern with a population of over 7-10 lakh people dwelling and working here. Mumbai’s slum colony had reported its first COVID-19 case and death on April 1, 2020, after a 56-year-old man succumbed to the infection.

However, Dharavi has fared well during both the first and second coronavirus waves, Deccan Herald reported. The slum colony had reported the highest cases during the first wave on May 3, 2020 with 94 cases and during the second wave the peak was reached on April 9, 2021, when 99 cases were detected.

With this new case of Omicron variant, the total tally in the state has reached 11.

Allaying fears about the Omicron variant, the  Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on Friday said, "Clinically, Omicron is not posing burden on the healthcare system yet, but the vigil has to be maintained."

In a media briefing, Balram Bhargava, DG, ICMR urged people not to create panic about the new variant. “Regular meetings are being organised to keep a watch on the global scenario and Covid scene in India with a focus on Omicron. We need help to not spread panic. District level restrictions to be implemented where positivity over 5%,” ANI quoted him as saying. 

Dr VK Paul, Member-Health, NITI Aayog reminded people of the importance of masks and asked them to continue their usage. “As far as protection capability is concerned, we are now operating at a risky and unacceptable level. Mask usage is declining. We have to remember that both vaccines and masks are important. We should learn from the global situation,” Paul said.