Bengaluru, Jan 5 : Karnataka Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar Today  said the next four to six weeks are crucial and appealed to people not to get panicked after they get infected by Omicron which has a short life span.
“Next four to six weeks are very crucial. Therefore, they should be cautious and strictly observe Covid guidelines. People should not get panicked if they are infected with Omicron. Its life span is short. As we have seen worldwide, Omicron declines in five to six weeks. It is not like the first and second wave that lasted for three to four months,” he told reporters here.
Moreover, oxygen, ventilators and ICU are not required in large numbers to treat Omicron as the Covid variant does not enter the lungs, the minister said. “Therefore, this is yet another reason for the people to not get worried. I request them not to rush to the hospitals if they are infected by Omicron,” he added.
However, Omicron may play havoc on those who have not taken double doses of vaccination, he said. “Therefore, I request people with folded hands to get vaccinated with both doses,” Dr Sudhakar stated.
Meanwhile, the state government has imposed strict measures including a ban on political and entertainment rallies. It also ordered for closure of schools, colleges, except classes 10,11,12, medical and nursing colleges, from Thursday. However, online classes will continue to be held.
It has also had an extended night curfew for two weeks.
Karnataka was the first state in India to have recorded Omicron cases. It also imposed weekend curfew. These restrictions come after Karnataka reported another big spike for the fourth consecutive day with 2,479 infections and four deaths recorded on Tuesday, which took the cumulative infections and fatalities to 30,13,326 and 38,355 respectively.(UNI)