The number of cases of the highly contagious Omicron variant of Coronavirus in India crossed 1,200 mark on Thursday as Maharashtra reported its highest ever single-day infection rate with the new strain, as states tightened terms to deal with the surge in Coronavirus cases.
According to Delhi health minister Satyendar Jain, Omicron is gradually spreading in the community, with the variant of concern found in 46 percent of the latest samples of COVID cases in the national capital.
All international passengers arriving at the airport in Goa, including those from ‘low-risk’ countries, will be tested for COVID. Meanwhile, West Bengal will suspend it’s direct flights from the UK and other ‘high-risk’ countries beginning January 3.
According to data from the Union Health Ministry, the country has also recorded the highest single-day rise of Omicron infections with 180 new cases, making the total number of people infected with the new strain 961, as of yesterday morning. The total number of COVID cases may have included cases with the Omicron variant.
A 66-year-old South African and 46-year-old doctor from Bengaluru were the first two people in the country to be diagnosed with the Omicron variant on December 2.
