More than 400 Parliament staff have tested positive for COVID-19, after screenings were conducted on January 6 and 7.
According to sources, around 1400 staff members were tested, and over 400 tested positive for COVID. Most of those who tested positive are asymptomatic.
The tests come as the Parliament heads toward Budget Session, even as the dates have not been announced yet. It was not clear how many of the staff tested positive for Omicron, as that would be revealed after genome sequencing of the samples is done.
Testing for staff and MPs has been organized in the Parliament complex, and the Lok Sabha secretariat has also started booster dose vaccinations for MPs above 60 as per government guidelines.
A circular administered on Sunday said arrangements have been made for MPs above 60 years with co-morbidities to get booster shots of Covishield or Covaxine in the Parliament complex.
As most of those who tested positive are asymptomatic, a lot more people may be having COVID than anticipated yet, fortunately, this time, the virus appears to be weakening, or immune systems are getting stronger.