Omicron scare: AIIMS chief Dr Randeep Guleria urges people to not panic, but be vigilant

New Delhi: Amid a rise in Omicron cases in India, the country's top surgeon Dr Randeep Guleria on Wednesday advised people "not to panic, but to be vigilant."

In a video message posted by AIIMS, Delhi, Dr Guleria extended his New Year greetings to everyone and reminded them to understand that the pandemic is not over, yet we are in a better position.

He also took note of the rise in Covid-19 cases in the country even after having a large number of people who are vaccinated.

He, therefore, asserted the importance of following COVID-appropriate behaviour including wearing masks, physical distancing, and avoiding crowds so that we do not have a super spreader anywhere.

While stating the alarming rise in Omicron cases in India, Dr Guleria said the current data showed that the Omicron variant is a mild variant and doesn't cause a significant fall in oxygen saturation, therefore, the requirement of oxygen may not be that much.

Further, he requested everyone not to unnecessarily waste oxygen cylinders and medicines which had happened earlier this year when the nation was facing an oxygen crisis.

"We as a nation are now better prepared to manage any surge in the cases that may happen because of the possible new wave. So I would like to reassure everyone that don't panic but you have to be vigilant. Make sure that you don't become a part of the chain of spreading the infection," he added.

Meanwhile, India reported 781 Omicron cases so far, informed Union Health Ministry on Wednesday. Delhi accounts for the highest number of Omicron cases (283), followed by Maharashtra (167), Gujarat (73), Kerala (65), Telangana (62), Rajasthan (46), Karnataka (34), Tamil Nadu (34), Haryana (12), West Bengal (11), Madhya Pradesh (9), Odisha (8), Andhra Pradesh (6), Uttarakhand (4), Chandigarh (3), Jammu and Kashmir (3), Uttar Pradesh (2), Goa (1), Himachal Pradesh (1), Ladakh (1) and Manipur (1).