New Delhi: It seems the new virus is spreading wings faster as Delhi reported its second case of Omicron on Saturday after a fully vaccinated individual with a travel history to Zimbabwe and South Africa tested positive for the coronavirus deemed to be more dangerous and transmissible than the previous strains.
"Second case of Omicron Variant reported in Delhi. The person was fully vaccinated and was coming from Zimbabwe. The person had also travelled to South Africa,” news agency ANI reported on Saturday, citing an official of the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government.
Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain had confirmed the first case in Delhi last Sunday. Both the patients detected with the latest variant has been admitted in Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital (LNJP).
According to the official statement quoted in India Today, genome sequencing of 27 foreign travellers hospitalised in LNJP hospital has been done so far, of which 25 samples were negative, while Omicron has been found in the samples of two people.
Know Latest Status of Omicron Cases In India
With the new case in Delhi, the country’s total count of infection with Omicron has risen to 33.
So far, 17 omicron infections were detected in Maharashtra, followed by nine cases in Rajasthan, three in Gujarat, two in Karnataka, and now two in Delhi.
Section 144 CrPC has been imposed in Mumbai on Saturday and Sunday in wake of the Omicron threat in the state. "Rallies/morchas/processions etc of either persons or vehicles prohibited," according to the news agency ANI tweet.
"Omicron cases detected comprise less than 0.04 per cent of total variants detected. All detected cases have mild symptoms," Lav Agarwal, joint secretary, union health ministry, said.
On Friday, the Centre warned about the decline in usage of face masks across the country amid the emergence of the Omicron.
Dr VK Paul, NITI Aayog member (health), said people are operating at a “risky and unacceptable” level, stressing that both masks and vaccines are important for protection against coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
Meanwhile, India logged 7,992 new Coronavirus cases on Saturday along with 9,265 recoveries and 393 deaths in the last 24 hours. Active caseload currently stands at 93,277 - lowest in 559 days, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare informed.