Jharkhand has decided to wait and watch for another week before announcing restrictions in the wake of a sudden spurt in Covid-19 cases in the state over the last seven days with chief minister Hemant Soren appealing to people to exercise restraint and welcome the New Year responsibly.

Hemant, who held a high-level meeting on the Covid situation on Friday, asked residents to follow all prescribed Covid norms and appealed to them to avoid venturing out to crowded zones in the interest of their families.

Last night, Jharkhand clocked 482 cases of which Ranchi alone accounted for close to 250 cases, prompting health workers to demand that the state government impose stringent measures in the wake of the fast-spreading Omicron variant of the Sars-Cov2 virus.

While Jharkhand is yet to report any Omicron case so far, the intensity of fresh infections has had officials and doctors worried.

Hemant also directed authorities to strengthen testing and ensure total enforcement of Covid guidelines at all tourist spots like picnic places, waterfalls and dams. At the meeting, officials expressed concern about the situation in Hazaribagh and Bokaro where even though testing was low, the positivity rate was increasing.

Currently, the state is conducting about 35,000 Covid tests per day. Hemant, however, directed officials to increase the number to about a lakh a day. “Only by intense testing and tracking can the spread be curbed. Hence, immediate arrangements must be made to increase the testing numbers,” he said.

The chief minister also asked authorities to step up vaccinations so as to achieve 100 per cent coverage by January 15, 2022. “At least, every one must be vaccinated by a single dose by January 15,” he said.

After the meeting, state health minister Banna Gupta said, “We have not decided on any new curbs as of now. But, directives have been given to all enforcement agencies and stakeholders to pull up their socks to curb the spread of the virus by proper implementation of all the prescribed rules and regulations.

"Also, we appeal to people to be cautious, make use of masks and sanitisers and consider holding New Year parties at their homes. Another review will be conducted in first week of January.”