Covid-19: Omicron score touches 12, Delhi sees its first patient

Beneficiaries wait to receive vaccine doses in Nadia district of West Bengal, on Sunday. Pic/PTI

A 37-year-old man who arrived in Delhi from Tanzania has tested positive for Omicron, making it the first case of the new COVID variant in the national capital. With seven more cases detected in Maharashtra, the nationwide tally touched 12.

The Delhi patient, currently admitted to the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital, has mild symptoms, hospital officials said.

"So far, 17 COVID-19 patients and six of their contacts have been admitted to the Lok Nayak Hospital. The Omicron variant has been found in one of the 12 samples sent for genome sequencing so far, according to a preliminary report," Delhi's Health Minister Satyendar Jain said.

"The patient is an Indian and had returned from Tanzania. He was admitted to the hospital on December 2 with mild symptoms, sore throat, fever and body ache," Medical Director Suresh Kumar said.

"The patient's travel history is being collated and his contacts are being traced," he said. Jain said banning international flights is the most effective way to contain the spread of Omicron. It is being reported that the variant's gestational period could be more than other variants.

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