<span style="color: #222222;">Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan today chaired review meeting on Omicron variant of COVID-19 with states through video conferencing. The Omicron variant does not escape RT-PCR and RAT tests.<br />'' <br />'' During the meeting, Mr Bhushan said, 'Har Ghar Dastak' campaign for the door-to-door vaccination will be continued till 31st of December with a focus on 100 per cent COVID-19 vaccine first-dose coverage. He said, the focus will also be on completing the backlog of the second dose of vaccine. Mr Bhushan advised the states to ramp up testing for early identification of positive cases, and early management.<br />'' <br />'' The states were advised not to let their guards down, and keep a strict vigil on the international passengers coming to the country through various airports, ports and land border crossings. International passengers from at risk countries are being advised to prepare to wait at the airports till the report of the RT-PCR test is available.<br />'' <br />'' It has also advised for effective and regular monitoring of home isolation cases, with physical visits to homes of passengers from at-risk countries. The status of those who are negative after the test on the 8th day to also be physically monitored by the state administration.<br />'' <br />'' During the meeting, NITI Aayog Member (Health) Dr Vinod Paul stated that the country is richer in its knowledge of management of COVID-19. He underlined the continued importance of COVID Appropriate Behavior, avoiding large gatherings and ramping up vaccination. States have been advised to ramp up the pace and coverage of COVID-19 vaccination.<br />'' <br />'' Director General of Indian Council of Medical Research informed that the OMICRON variant does not escape RT-PCR and RAT. He said, states were advised to ramp up testing for prompt and early identification of any cases. </span>