Covid Update: 8 Omicron Variants In Delhi, One Responsible For Surge In Cases, Says Expert

New Variants of Omicron: Dr SK Sarin, Director, ILBS asserted that is a possibility of new variants of Omicron in Delhi adding that samples sent at the ILBS have been sequenced.

Visitors are seen not wearing face masks in Delhi's Sarojini Nagar Market. (Getty Image)

New Delhi: Amid the ongoing surge in daily Covid caseload in the national capital, health experts have warned about the possibilities of new variants of Omicron and said that they are being sequenced in the city. The warning comes after Delhi on Wednesday reported as many as 1,009 fresh cases of Coronavirus, the highest since February with positivity rate surging to 5.70 per cent. 

A report by news agency ANI stated experts have identified as many as eight variants of Omicron and out of them, one is predominently responsible for the recent jump in cases.

While speaking about the same Dr SK Sarin, Director, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) asserted that is a possibility of new variants of Omicron in Delhi adding that samples sent at the ILBS have been sequenced. "There is a possibility of that new variants are emerging of the Omicron and they are being sequenced," Sarin told ANI.

Sources have even told the news agency that BA.2.12.1 is the variant which is considered to be a sibling of Omicron and is responsible for the sudden jump in cases in Delhi. Dr Sarin also warned people to be careful in the days to come.

"I would suggest people should be careful. There is a fear that children may get infected because they are not adequately vaccinated. People must wear masks," he added.

Dr Sarin's warning comes after India on Thursday again reported a spike of 2,380 fresh Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, against the 2,067 infections registered the previous day. In the same period, there were 56 additional Covid-19 fatalities which increased the nationwide death toll to 522,062.

Delhi alone has witnessed a massive spurt in daily Covid cases with reporting a 60 per cent hike in daily infections on Wednesday compared to a day ago. However, the hospitalisation rate has so far been low, accounting for less than three per cent of the total active cases.

City health department has also informed that currently there are 54 COVID-19 patients admitted to hospitals in Delhi at present. 1,578 are recuperating in home isolation. Of the 9,737 beds available for Covid patients in hospitals, just 91 are occupied.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has once again made it mandatory for people to wear masks at public places along with a fine for not wearing the same.

DDMA has also announced to impose a fine of Rs 500 for not wearing the mask at public places. Despite curbs being reimposed, schools in the capital city will remain open and not close amid rising Covid cases. A detailed SOPs will be made with the consultation of experts for schools in the national capital.