101 Omicron Cases In India, Avoid Unnecessary Travel, Gatherings: Centre

The omicron variant of the coronavirus is “spreading rapidly” – there are now 101 confirmed cases in the country – the Health Ministry said Friday evening, warning that the new and significantly more infectious strain already accounted for 2.4 per cent of all COVID-19 cases in the world.

Within India, 19 districts are at “high risk” of a surge in Covid cases, irrespective of the variant driving that surge, the Health Ministry also said, underlining the need for extra vigilance in following Covid-appropriate behaviour, including using face masks in public spaces and practicing social distancing, as well as avoiding non-essential travel and staying away from large crowds and gatherings.

Renewed warning over the dangers posed by the omicron variant come as 10 new cases were reported from national capital Delhi earlier today.

Maharashtra – the state that was worst hit by the earlier waves of Covid infections – has so far recorded the maximum number of omicron cases – 32.

Karnataka, Gujarat, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Andhra Pradesh have also confirmed cases of the new variant.