Covid-19: 12 Omicron suspects in Delhi, genome sequencing awaited

A worker sanitises the premises of the Taj Mahal amid concerns over the Omicron variant on Saturday. Pic/PTI

Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Saturday said that a total of 12 patients are suspected of carrying the Omicron variant of the Coronavirus so far in the national capital. He said that all have been admitted in the isolation ward of the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital. "There were total 12 suspected patients of Omicron till yesterday in Delhi. Their samples have been sent for genome sequencing and the report will be out by today evening or tomorrow," said Jain. Speaking about the new variant, he said, "more than expressing concern, it is the subject of caution and vigilance. We all need to be alert of this COVID variant". He underlined that the global health body WHO has called it a variant of concern, but has not said that it will cause a major disaster.

Gujarat's first Omicron case

Gujarat on Saturday registered its first Omicron case after a Zimbabwe resident, who arrived in Jamnagar, was found infected with COVID-19's new mutant. The Nodal officer for Corona, GG Hospital, Jamnagar, Dr S Chatterjee said, "Samples of the 72-year-old Zimbabwe resident sent to Biotechnological Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad tested positive for Omicron. The patient is in isolation since his admission. We had traced all his close contacts, screened them and they tested negative. But we will conduct the test of all his contacts again."

Omicron in Kerala?

Kerala, which is already making waves on the COVID-19 front by recording more than 60 per cent of the daily new cases in the country, is now waiting with bated breath for the results of three COVID-19 positive samples sent for genomic sequencing. According to the authorities, the results of the three samples are expected to be out in a day or two, and those of a medical professional who arrived from the UK.

Karnataka in battle mode

The Karnataka government is worried about the findings of the health department which show that the Omicron variant is already present in the community. The government is taking steps on a war footing to deal with any eventuality, according to sources in the health department. Former Minister, senior Congress leader HK Patil has said that there are more than 16 cases of Omicron in the state as per his sources. He blamed the government for not taking swift action. He also urged the government to ramp up facilities for immediate test results. It is taking about 10 to 12 days now for the report of Omicron. Meanwhile, the Bengaluru-based anesthesiologist doctor, one among the first two persons to be detected with the new variant in the country is doing fine now.

India sees dip in active cases

With 8,603 people testing positive for the Coronavirus in a day, India's tally of cases rose to 3,46,24,360, but active cases declined to 99,974, according to Union Health Ministry data updated on Saturday. The death toll, however, climbed to 4,70,530 with 415 fatalities.

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