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THANE : Eknath Shinde, Maharashtra Urban Development Minister, on Saturday, instructed Thane district authorities and local civic officials to keep hospital facilities ready and ensure strict adherence among people to COVID-19 protocols .
Decision comes in view of the emergence of a new variant of the infection, which has now been named Omicron by the World Health Organisation, has been classified as a 'Variant of Concern' due to its reported high transmissibility..
The new B.1.1.529 variant was first detected in the southern part of Africa.
Late on Saturday Britain confirmed two detected cases of the new variant of infection. Bengaluru also confirmed that two south Africans had tested Covid positive and their samples have been sent for sequencing to ascertain about the variant.
Shinde, during the meeting held through video conferencing, said the Maharashtra government was prepared to tackle any eventuality, and directed officials to carry out audits of COVID-19 hospitals and other facilities to ensure preparedness against any spike is at its optimum.
The minister said some of the treatment facilities shut due to a fall in case numbers must be kept ready for reopening as soon the need arises, district officials said.
