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Coronavirus Omicron India Highlights | More cases of the Omicron variant of Covid have been detected in Delhi, taking the total number of people testing positive for the latest variant of the coronavirus in the national capital to 5. Amid the Omicron scare and the growing number of coronavirus cases in Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had said all samples that test positive for the infection will now be sent for genome sequencing. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) in which the Omicron situation, including its possible effects and steps to deal with it, was discussed, according to the chief minister. Earlier in the day, a source said, "Two more cases of Omicron have been detected in Delhi. Their samples sent for genome sequencing earlier have come out positive. One has come from the UK, while the other from Ghana, aged 47 and 22 respectively." The tally has grown to 24, and 12 patients have been discharged, they had said in the afternoon. These two patients are admitted to the LNJP Hospital, the sources said, adding, most of the patients are asymptomatic. Later in the evening, another source said four more cases of the Omicron variant of Covid have been detected here, taking the tally further to 28. Meanwhile, soon after the chief minister's press briefing, the authorities at two genome sequencing laboratories in Delhi said they have the capacity to handle a higher number of samples for detection of the Omicron variant. On Monday, 93 fresh COVID-19 cases were logged in the city with a positivity rate of 0.20 per cent, as per the latest health bulletin. The national capital had recorded 85 cases on Thursday with a positivity rate of 0.15 per cent. On Sunday, it jumped to 107, the highest single-day rise since June 27, while one death was also recorded, and the positivity rate stood at 0.17 per cent, according to official data. Two laboratories, one each at the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) and the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital, run under the Delhi government have the genome sequencing facility available. "We have a capacity to handle 1,000 samples per week. Though the daily cases have increased in the last couple of days, only about the capacity of 500 samples per week is being used. So, at present, we have sufficient capacity, and as per the need, we will double it," a source told PTI. Delhi's first case of the Omicron variant -- a 37-year-old man from Ranchi -- was detected on December 5. He has been discharged. Amid a jump in cases of Omicron reported in Delhi, doctors have warned that people should avoid all kinds of gatherings as this is a highly transmissible variant, and follow Covid-appropriate behaviours, else the situation may worsen.
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"Keeping in mind the higher transmissibility of Omicron, States/UTs (union territories) can take containment measures and restrictions even before these thresholds are reached," Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushansaid in a letter to state governments.
"Kindly activate the War rooms/EOCs (Emergency Operation Centre) and keep analysing all trends and surges, no matter how small and keep taking proactive action at the district/local level," he added. Read full report.
At least two people in Odisha have tested positive for the omicron variant of COVID-19, the first cases of the latest version of coronavirus in the state, officials said on Tuesday.
Bhubaneswar-based Institute of Life Sciences (ILS) confirmed the existence of the variant in the two patients after conducting the genome sequencing of 12 samples. Both of them have travel history to foreign nations - Nigeria and Qatar, they said. (PTI)
Maharashtra health department confirmed the detection of 11 more Omicron cases on December 21, taking the state tally to 65.
The Centre, in a communication to states on December 21, said the Omicron variant is three times more contagious than Delta variant, reports said.
Recognising that the rise of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus means some businesses are likely to struggle over the coming weeks, UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak on Tuesday announced an additional GBP 1-billion package to fund one-off grants of up to GBP 6,000 per premises for businesses in the hospitality and leisure sectors in England.
Many pubs and restaurants have seen cancellations and reduced footfall as people have responded to the rise in cases ahead of Christmas, with Hospitality UK reporting that many businesses have lost 40-60 per cent of their December trade, often their most profitable month. Around 200,000 businesses will be eligible for business grants, which will be administered by local authorities and will be available in the coming weeks. (PTI)
The total number of cases of new Omicron variant of COVID-19 recorded in the national capital has mounted to 54, according to data shared by the Union Health Ministry on Tuesday. Some details related to 45 of these cases in Delhi have been shared by authorities, but details on the remaining nine cases are awaited. (PTI)
"We have restricted public celebration of New Year.However, celebrations are permitted in clubs and restaurants with 50 percent seating capacity without any special event like DJ. Full vaccination is mandatory. These restrictions will be in effect from December 30 till January 2,"news agency ANI quoted Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai as saying.
Till now, there are 34 cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in Delhi. Out of these 34 patients, 17 patients have been discharged. CM has ordered that all positive cases in Delhi will be sent for genome sequencing for Omicron, saysDelhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain
BSP MP Danish Ali who attended Lok Sabha proceedings on Monday has tested positive for COVID-19. The parliamentarian, who is fully vaccinated, has mild symptoms. Ali tweeted on Tuesday to say that he has tested positive for the coronavirus. "Despite being fully vaccinated, today, I tested positive for COVID-19. Yesterday, I attended Parliament also," he said and requested all those who came in contact with him to get tested and isolate themselves. "I am having mild symptoms and hope to recover soon," he said. The Winter Session of Parliament is scheduled to end on December 23.
