Omicron BF.7 In Odisha: No Need To Panic, But Take Booster Dose Of COVID Vaccine, Says Ex-ICMR Scientist

Bhubaneswar: Allaying fears over detection of Omicron sub-variant BF.7 virus in Odisha, noted scientist Samiran Panda said  there is no need for panic, but people must remain careful and take the booster dose of COVID vaccine to further strengthen their immunity.

Noting that BF.7 variant was detected in Odisha nearly four months ago, the former ICMR scientist said there has been no substantial rise in COVID cases in the state.

“We have not witnessed any serious impact. There is no need for panic as the COVID positive rate has not gone up significantly since then. However, people need to remain careful and alert and strictly adhere to COVID appropriate behaviour,” he said.

As the state has been hit by several waves of COVID, the immunity level of people has been strengthened during the period and they have developed resistance to fight the new variant.

Describing the vaccination coverage in the country as well as Odisha as good, Panda said the coverage of booster or precaution dose of COVID vaccine was a bit low at 27 per cent.

“Therefore, I will request people to go for the precaution dose without any hesitation to boost their immunity against all variants of COVID virus,” the former ICMR scientist said.

Stating that the situation is under control in the state, he said though BF.7 has a stronger potentiality to spread faster, its severity and fatality rate is not alarming. “The new variant is very transmission efficient. It spreads rapidly, but people need not panic. Vaccines will definitely help all,” Panda said.

To remain safe, people need to use mask, particularly in crowded places, and maintain social distance and hygiene, he said, adding that the state is fully prepared to face any situation as it effectively faced all the previous waves of the pandemic.

During the last two-and-a-half years, the state has built a robust health infrastructure and facilities to deal with the pandemic, he added.