New Delhi: About 1,525 people in India have contracted the Omicron variant since the first case was reported in November, the Health Ministry said. Maharashtra and Delhi continue to be the worst-hit states. So far, 560 people have recovered from the new strain.
The country also reported a 21 per cent jump in new Covid cases as it reported 27,553 infections today. About 284 people died due to the virus during the period, the data showed.
Twenty-three states in India have reported the fast-spreading Omicron variant so far. Maharashtra, which has reported the most number of COVID-19 cases, has 460 Omicron cases, followed by Delhi with 351 infections.
Advertisements
Gujarat reported 21 cases of the new strain in the last 24 hours and now has 136 cases. Tamil Nadu, which is the fourth worst-affected state, has reported 117 cases while neighbouring Kerala has 109 cases of the new strain.
India’s Covid tally currently stands at 3,48,89, 132. Active cases account for 0.35% of the total caseload, as per the Health Ministry. The daily positivity rate is currently at 2.55 per cent.
The data by the Health Ministry indicates that thickly populated metros, such as the national capital New Delhi, financial centre Mumbai and Kolkata, are seeing some of the sharpest rises.
Advertisements
Delhi recorded a massive 50 per cent jump in coronavirus cases on Saturday, at 2,716, with around 3.64 percent of COVID-19 tests returning positive – a high positivity rate considered one of the first signs of an impending wave of infections.
Neighbouring Haryana has shut cinema halls and sports complexes in Gurgaon and four other cities as part of restrictions in view of a surge in coronavirus cases and the emergence of Omicron variant. Schools are also closed till January 12.
Amid the nationwide alarm, the Centre has asked states to set up makeshift hospitals and form special teams to ensure people don’t face any difficulty.
Advertisements
India witnessed a devastating second wave of COVID-19 last year when the daily average number of new cases peaked at around 400,000. Caseloads had dropped significantly since then. For many months the national tally remained well under 10,000 cases a day. Now, officials and medical experts fear the Omicron variant might fuel a third wave of the disease.
Since it was first detected in South Africa last month, the Omicron variant has spread across the globe in lightning speed and is now present in 106 countries. Early data indicates that it could be better at dodging some vaccine protections, spurring the rush to provide boosters.
Next Story:
-
Asaduddin Owaisi Urges People To Participate In Caste Census
AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi urged the people to participate in the ongoing ‘caste census’ being taken up in the State.
-
Heavy Rains In Telangana For Next Three Days
The people of Telangana have been alerted because of moderate to heavy rains in the state for the next three days, according to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).
-
Abdul Hafeez From Telangana Elected As SIO India National President
Abdul Hafeez from Telangana was elected as the National President of the Students Islamic Organisation (SIO) of India.
-
Banks To Remain Closed On These Dates In December 2024
Banks will not function on 17 days in December on account of festivals, as well as on second and fourth Saturdays and all Sundays.
-
Youth Kills His Girlfriend With Knife In Madhya Pradesh
A youth stabbed his girlfriend seven times with a knife in broad daylight after accusing her of cheating in Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday afternoon. After seriously injuring the woman, the accused fled the scene.
Now you can get latest stories from Hydnow everyday. Click the link to subscribe. Click to follow Hydnow Facebook page and Twitter and on Instagram
Advertisements