Amid global Omicron concerns, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Director Dr Randeep Guleria sounded alarmed on Sunday.
Dr Guleria told news agency ANI that in view of rising Covid-19 cases in the United Kingdom, India should prepare itself for any eventuality.
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"We should prepare and hope that things are not as bad as in the United Kingdom. We need more data on Omicron. Whenever there is a surge in cases in other parts of the world, we need to monitor it closely and be prepared for any eventuality. It is better to stay prepared than to get caught off-guard," said Guleria while talking to ANI.
India has so far reported over 150 cases of the Omicron variant.
The new variant of Covid-19 was first reported to the World Health Organisation from South Africa on November 25. It has now spread to a number of countries and is likely to beat Delta as the dominant Covid variant.