Left, Right & Centre

The Omicron variant of Covid-19 is "almost unstoppable" and everyone will eventually be infected with it, a top government expert told NDTV. Stressing that Covid is not a frightening disease anymore as the new strain is milder and is leading to much less hospitalisation, he said that Omicron is a disease we can deal with. "A majority of us will not know we have been infected, probably more than 80% will not even know when we have it," said Dr Jayaprakash Muliyil, epidemiologist and chairperson, Scientific Advisory Committee at ICMR's National Institute of Epidemiology.

A perplexing new guideline from the Indian Council of Medical Research that says that contacts of confirmed cases of COVID-19 do not need to test for Covid unless they are identified as high-risk based on age or comorbidities. Also, government data shows that tests are not keeping pace with the number of cases. Are we testing less when we should be testing more to know the real situation? At a time like this, should India be rolling out booster shots for everyone, not just senior citizens and healthcare workers?

While the Covid positivity rate is alarming, patients still mostly don't need hospitalisation. Experts say most cases are asymptomatic and manageable, even though some Delta cases are still lurking. If we follow protocol and restrictions like weekend and night curfews, can we avoid being overwhelmed by the 3rd wave?

The Election Commission has announced poll dates for the five states amid the third wave of coronavirus. Defending its decision, the Election Commission said that holding of timely election is the "essence of maintaining democratic governance". For now, it has placed a moratorium on rallies and roadshows till January 15, promising to review this if cases surge further.

Across the country, doctors are falling sick as healthcare takes a hit because of Omicron. On Left, Right and Centre, we debate: How badly has Omicron hit our hospitals?

The Reserve Bank of India has warned that banks' gross NPAs may rise to 9.5% in severe stress scenario by September 2022. On Left, Right and Centre, we debate: Will Omicron spread derail economic recovery?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi cancelled his programme in Punjab today after a massive security breach left him stuck on a highway for 20 minutes because of protesting farmers. In a spiraling row in election season, the BJP accused Punjab's ruling Congress of 'murderous intentions'. Chief Minister Charanjit Channi, denying any lapse, expressed "regrets" over the incident.

There will be no mix-and-match of vaccines for those eligible to get a 'precautionary' third dose, Dr VK Paul, the head of India's Covid task force, said Wednesday. This means individuals who received two doses of the Serum Institute's Covishield will get the same vaccine this time, and those who got Bharat Biotech's Covaxin will get a third jab of that vaccine

As Omicron cases continue to surge, on Left, Right and Centre, we speak to India's finest doctors to get an idea of just where we are headed.

It was a big day for India on Monday as vaccination for children between 15-18 was rolled out. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called it an "important step forward in protecting our youth against COVID-19". On Left, Right and Centre, we speak to school principals, doctor, parent, and a teenager who took the jab today on whether this will be a step towards bringing normalcy back in the lives of children.