6 Frequently asked questions about Omicron.

Q7. Would I get infected if I am fully vaccinated? Current vaccines are expected to protect against severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths due to infection with the Omicron variant. However, breakthrough infections in people who are fully vaccinated are likely to occur. The recent emergence of Omicron further emphasizes the importance of vaccination and boosters.

Q8. What are the Indian guidelines for those who tested Omicron positive? Those tested omicron positive will be kept in isolation for a period of 10days or if negative RT-PCR.

• Thereafter home isolation for a week
• 14 days of isolation is calculated on the day of the test instead of onset of symptoms

Q9. What are the travel advices to individuals in relation to the emergence of Omicron?

• Individuals who are unwell, who have not been fully vaccinated, or do not have proof of previous infection and are at increased risk of severe COVID-19, including people 60 years of age or older and those with comorbidities (such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes) are advised to postpone travel to areas with community transmission.
• Those who wish to travel should remain vigilant for signs and symptoms of COVID-19, to get vaccinated when it is their turn and to adhere to preventive measures at all times, regardless of their vaccination status.

Q10. What does asymptomatic cases of Covid -19 means?

The asymptomatic cases are laboratory confirmed cases but not experiencing any symptoms

and have oxygen saturation more than 93% (at room air)

Q11. What does a mild case of Covid - 19 mean?

Clinically assigned mild cases are those who experience upper respiratory tract symptoms with or without fever, without shortness of breath and having oxygen saturation more than 93% (at room air).

Q12. What is the Discharge Policy of Covid - 19 (Omicron) for those Individuals who recovered from the Hospitals?

• for Mild cases admitted to a COVID Care Facility or under home isolation will undergo regular health monitoring. The patient shall be discharged after at least 7 days have passed from testing positive and with no fever for 3 successive days. There is no need for testing prior to discharge.
• for Moderate cases admitted to Dedicated COVID Health Centre

1. 1. Patients whose signs and symptoms resolve and maintain saturation above 93% for 3 successive days (without oxygen support), and stable comorbidities, if any, such patients will be discharged as per the advice of the treating medical officer. There is no need for testing prior to discharge.
   2. Patients on oxygen whose signs and symptoms do not resolve, and demand of oxygen therapy continues Such patients will be discharged as per the advice of the treating medical officer only after resolution of clinical symptoms, ability to maintain prescribed oxygen saturation for 3 successive days without oxygen support, stable comorbidities, if any.

• In case of Severe Cases including immunocompromised (HIV patients, transplant recipients, malignancy etc.) Discharge criteria for severe cases will be based on clinical recovery at the discretion of the treating medical officer.