State all set to tackle Omicron
The Hindu
Adequate oxygen supply, ICU facilities being readied, says Veena
As the uncertainty surrounding the new SARS-CoV2 variant, Omicron, grows and experts debate whether the variant’s immune evasion potential can lead to a massive surge in re-infections, the State is leaving nothing to chance by making preparations ahead.
Ensuring oxygen availability and ICU/ventilator facilities has been a main task that the Health department has been undertaking, in preparing to meet any exigency involving Omicron.
The State is producing 354.43 metric tonnes of oxygen daily now, while the current utilisation of oxygen is around 65 metric tonnes only. Kerala is self-sufficient in oxygen production and it also has adequate buffer stock, Health Minister Veena George said here on Wednesday.
More than 2.6 lakh village and ward volunteers in Andhra Pradesh, once celebrated as the government’s grassroots champions for their crucial role in implementing welfare schemes, are now in a dilemma after learning that their tenure has not been renewed after August 2023 even though they have been paid honoraria till June 2024. Disowned by both YSRCP, which was in power when they were appointed, and the current ruling TDP, which made a poll promise to double their pay, these former volunteers are ruing the day they signed up for the role which they don’t know if even still exists