Mumbai: Omicron in 55 per cent samples, says genome sequencing

Seventh round of testing shows new variant is fast replacing Delta in city

The result of the seventh round of genome sequencing shows that Omicron is rapidly headed to soon replace the Delta variant of the Coronavirus and its derivatives. According to the latest report, 55 per cent of the samples collected from the city have tested positive for the new, highly infectious variant. Andheri West, Malabar Hill/Tardeo, Bandra West, Wadala and Colaba reported more Omicron cases than other wards in the city. During the last two genome sequencing of Covid-19 samples, conducted in the first two weeks of December, the Omicron cases were below 10 while the Delta variant dominated the spread.

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Gateway of India, that is usually crowded on December 31 night, wears a deserted look on Friday night. Pic/Bipin Kokate

In an order on Friday, Mumbai Municipal Commissioner I S Chahal clarified that hotels/restaurants, beer bars, discotheques and other establishments where liquor of any kind is served, as well as wine and all kinds of liquor shops will be allowed to operate as per the normal timings decided by the competent authority, subject to 50 per cent capacity. The order also stated that these establishments will necessarily declare their full capacity as per the licence/permission as well as the permissible 50 per cent of the capacity. 

Nearly 50k tests

On Friday the city registered 5,631 Covid-19 cases after 47,472 tests with TPR of 11.86 per cent. TPR more than 5 per cent is a cause of concern. Out of 5,631 patients, 4,223 are asymptomatic and 497 were hospitalised on Friday.

There was one death in the city. The patient was above 60 years with comorbidities. The city’s recovery rate dropped by two per cent to 95 per cent as the cases increased sharply and 548 people recovered and were discharged on Friday. The doubling rate continues to see a drop and was 360 days. 

On Friday 6,806 people took their first vaccine dose while 28,925 took their second vaccine dose in the city. As per the state health department, 8,067 cases were reported with eight deaths in Maharashtra. Pune city registered 420 cases. The state’s case-fatality rate remain almost constant at 2.11 per cent as 1,766 recovered and got discharged on Friday. Currently, the state has 24,509 active cases.

As per state numbers, 6,868 cases were reported in MMR including the ones from Mumbai which are 85 per cent of the total cases in the state. Apart from Mumbai, Thane reported 340 cases, the most in MMR. It was followed by 286 in Navi Mumbai. While Mira Bhayandar reported 167 cases, Panvel saw 115 cases, Vasai-Virar reported 164 cases,  Raigad recorded 76 cases and Kalyan-Dombivli reported 124 cases. MMR, excluding Mumbai, registered zero deaths.

66,78,821
Total no. of cases in Maharashtra

6,868
Total no. of cases reported in MMR in the last 24 hours

1
No. of deaths in city on Friday (The deceased had comorbidities and was above the age of 60 years)

548
No. of patients Recovered and discharged in city on Friday

95
Percentage of city’s recivery rate

11.86
Percentage of TPR in Mumbai on Friday

156
No. of city samples tested positive for Omicron

282
No. of city samples tested in the seventh round

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