New Delhi, November 29: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Monday, urged people to stay alert against the new coronavirus variant called Omicron. Addressing media persons ahead of the beginning of the winter session, the PM said, “We have administered more than 100 crore doses of Covid vaccines during the challenging times of the pandemic. Now we are moving towards 150 crore doses. The news of the emergence of a new coronavirus variant makes us more alert. We all should stay alert in view of the new variant of COVID-19.” He said the government’s priority is the good health of the people of the country.
WHO, on Friday, named the new variant B.1.1.529, which was detected in South Africa, as ‘Omicron’. Taking action amidst concerns over this new variant of the virus, the PM, on Saturday, chaired a meeting, reviewing the public health preparedness and vaccine-related situation for Covid-19.
As per an official statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, the officials had briefed the PM about the new variant of concern, along with its characteristics and the impact seen in several countries.