AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria 
Key Highlights
- Don’t panic, but be vigilant, said AIIMS Director
- Pandemic is not over, yet we are in a better position, he said
- Very important for everyone to follow COVID-appropriate behaviour, he added
New Delhi: Amid a spike in COVID-19 cases and Omicron infections, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi Director Dr Randeep Guleria urged people to refrain from hoarding Oxygen cylinders and medicines
We as a nation are better prepared to manage any surge in the cases, he said.
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, he added.
‘Important for people to understand that the pandemic is not over’
Telling people to not panic and remain vigilant, Dr Guleria wished everyone a very happy, healthy, and prosperous 2022 but said that it is important for people to understand that the pandemic is not over.
Saying that a large number of people in India have been vaccinated but the country is witnessing increasing cases, Dr Guleria urged everyone to follow COVID-appropriate behaviour including wearing masks, physical distancing, and avoiding crowds to avoid super spreader anywhere.
Many states and UTs are reporting a jump in infections.
As per the Union Health Ministry, India reported 781 Omicron cases so far with Delhi accounting 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).
Delhi has not reported any COVID-related deaths in the last 24 hours
Delhi reported 923 COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, the highest since May 30.
While 200 COVID-19 positive patients have been admitted to the hospital, 145 patients have mild symptoms and 55 patients are on oxygen-supported beds.
However, the national capital has not reported any COVID-related deaths in the last 24 hours.
During the devastating second wave in April, people had started hoarding oxygen, oxygen concentrators and injections like Remdesivir leading to panic and their shortage in the market.