New Delhi: After a review meeting by PM Narendra Modi over the COVID situation, The health ministry has revised the discharge policy with severity categorised into mild and moderate cases.

In a media briefing over the COVID situation in the country, Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary of Health Ministry, said, "We have revised our discharge policy with severity categorised into mild and moderate cases."

"Moderate case - if there is the resolution of symptoms, the patient maintains O2 saturation> 93 per cent for 3 successive days (without O2)..such patient will be discharged and Mild case discharged after at least 7 days from testing positive and non-emergency for 3 successive days, no need for testing prior to discharge."

Agarwal said that a sharp surge in COVID cases in India; active cases 9,55,319 as of 12th January. High surge noticed globally in 159 countries. Eight countries in Europe reported an increase of cases by more than two times in the last two weeks. 

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"Emerging states of concern (reporting surge in COVID cases) are Maharashtra, West Bengal, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, and Gujarat," he added.  

Emerging states of concerns reporting high positive rates- Maharashtra with a rate positivity rate of 22.39 per cent, West Bengal 32.18 per cent, Delhi 23.1 per cent and UP 4.47 per cent.

Total 115 confirmed deaths globally due to Omicron and 1 death in India. Omicron has a substantial growth advantage over Delta as per WHO...Data from South Africa, the UK, Canada, Denmark suggests a reduced risk of hospitalization for Omicron compared to Delta.