Suspected Omicron variant detected in Assam

Guwahati, Dec 12: In a major development, Assam has detected its first case of suspected COVID-19 variant Omicron in Sonitpur district.
Reportedly, on Saturday, the suspect individual was identified as Suryabahadur Tamang. He returned from Saudi Arabia and is now admitted to Tezpur Medical College and Hospital.
However, in this regard, there is no information available officially from the State Government.
Meanwhile, the centre has asked States and Union Territories to maintain adequate buffer stock of the eight critical drugs identified for treatment of new Covid-19 variant Omicron. The States have been asked to ensure that funds released by Centre under ECRP-II are being utilized for creating and strengthening health infrastructure, and 100 per cent matching funds are promptly released by States to the State Health Societies.
"As the progress of funds utilization at the field level is being reviewed by the Health Ministry, information on progress of funds utilization needs to be filled in the portal created for the purpose. It needs to be ensured that all health facilities at the field level have functional ventilators, PSA plants, oxygen concentrators etc," said the Health Ministry in a review meeting with States.
 Raising the issue of many ventilators supplied by the Centre lying unpacked and unused at some field hospitals, the Centre has asked the States to review immediately and ensure that all PSA oxygen plants, oxygen concentrators and ventilators are installed and functioning. The Sentinel