Omicron in India: Rise in cases, 6 latest updates
India has seen a rise in Omicron cases between December 11 and 12. The total tally of Omicron cases in the country has now reached 38, and no deaths in India have been reported so far.
Maharastra's tally in Omicron cases has reached 18 with the latest being identified in Nagpur on December 12. Section 144 was imposed in Mumbai on December 11-12 due to the rally planned by All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) party and the protests planned by the BJP against Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raut's statement during the weekend.
Here are the latest updates on Omicron in India you need to know:
1. UNVACCINATED PASSENGER FROM SOUTH AFRICA FOUND OMICRON-POSITIVE IN NAGPUR
The latest patient detected with Omicron in Maharashtra's Nagpur is a 40-year-old man with a travel history to South Africa. He is unvaccinated and was found positive for Covid on December 5. He was then found positive for the Omicron variant after genome sequencing. He is currently admitted to the AIIMS isolation ward in Nagpur.
2. FIRST OMICRON CASE IN ANDHRA PRADESH FROM IRELAND
The first case of the Omicron variant in Andhra Pradesh was identified on December 12. The patient is a 34-year-old man from Ireland who is originally from Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh. He returned to Vizianagaram after his Covid-19 test was found negative in Mumbai on November 27. On learning his travel history, officials in Vizianagaram tested him again on December 4, where he tested positive. Genome sequencing was able to detect Omicron on December 12.
3. FIRST OMICRON CASE IN CHANDIGARH FROM ITALY
A 20-year-old man from Italy who came to India to visit his family tested positive for the Omicron variant on December 12. He tested positive for Covid-19 on December 1 and was fully vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine. Along with him, all 7 of his family members have been put under quarantine.
4. FIRST CASE IN KERALA FROM UK
Kerala's first Omicron case was detected in a man from Ernakulam, Kerala on December 6. The man travelling from the UK via Abu Dhabi tested positive on December 8. He was travelling with his wife, who has also tested positive for Covid-19. Health Minister Veena George said, "An Omicron case has been reported in Kerala. A UK returnee from Ernakulam is the one who tested positive. He arrived via Abu Dhabi. He tested negative in the initial test and positive in a test done on December 8. All 149 passengers including the high risk passengers who were near him on the flight have been informed."
5. THIRD CASE DETECTED IN KARNATAKA FROM SOUTH AFRICA
A third case of the Omicron variant was detected in Karnataka on December 12. The 34-year-old man was asymptomatic and returned from South Africa 10 days ago. Karnataka Health Minister Dr Sudhakar K said that the patient is being treated at a government hospital and his contacts have been traced and tested. 5 of his primary and 15 of his secondary contacts have been traced and their samples have also been sent for testing.
Third case of #Omicron has been detected in Karnataka. A 34-year-old male returning from South Africa has tested positive. He is isolated and being treated in a govt hospital. 5 primary and 15 secondary contacts have been traced and samples sent for testing. @BSBommai #COVID19
— Dr Sudhakar K (@mla_sudhakar) December 12, 2021
6. OMICRON PATIENT DIES IN UK
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the death of a person infected with the Omicron variant. Johnson was visiting a vaccination clinic in West London on December 13 when he spoke about the Omicron death. The deceased is the first to die of the variant across the globe. Johnson has also said that the new variant is resulting in hospital admissions and the "best thing" people can do is get their booster jab.