Community surveillance to be strengthened to tackle Omicron

Increased genetic sequencing among those coming from nations not deemed ‘at risk’

The Health department has decided to strengthen community surveillance for the early detection of Omicron virus variant.

At a high-level meeting held here to assess the threat posed by the variant, it was decided that the sampling and genetic sequencing would be increased in the case of travellers coming into the State from nations which are not deemed to be “at risk”.

Though airport surveillance has been strengthened and is being carried out systematically, many people who test negative for COVID-19 on arrival at airport seem to be testing positive at a later stage. Which is why community surveillance has to be upped, the meeting said.