Covid Third Wave in India: Weekend curfew in Delhi and 5 updates
The Ministry of Health confirmed on January 5 that India's Omicron tally has now reached 2,135. This has resulted in the Election Comission to hold meetings to discuss the Covid-19 protocols that will be enforced in poll-bound states.
#Unite2FightCorona#LargestVaccineDrive#OmicronVariant ????? ?????https://t.co/goHUQl5cOY pic.twitter.com/6G2N9Y9q2k
— Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) January 5, 2022
As of January 5, India has registered 58,000 new Covid-19 cases and 534 Covid-related deaths.
Here are the latest updates:
1. INDIA HAS 2,135 OMICRON CASES IN TOTAL NOW
Here's the state and UT-wise break-up:
Maharashtra - 653
Delhi - 464
Kerala - 185
Rajasthan - 174
Gujarat - 154
Tamil Nadu - 121
Telangana - 84
Karnataka - 77
Haryana - 71
Odisha - 37
Uttar Pradesh - 31
Andhra Pradesh - 24
West Bengal - 20
Madhya Pradesh - 9
Uttarakhand - 8
Goa - 5
Meghalaya - 5
Chandigarh - 3
Jammu and Kashmir - 3
Andaman and Nicobar Islands - 2
Punjab - 2
Himachal Pradesh - 1
Ladakh - 1
Manipur - 1
2. FIRST OMICRON DEATH CONFIRMED IN INDIA
Government sources have confirmed the first death due to Omicron in India on January 5. The patient was a 72 year-old man from Udaipur, Rajasthan named Laxminarayan Nagar. On December 31, Dr Dinesh Kharadi, Chief Medical and Health Officer Udaipur Division confirmed that Nagar had tested positive for Covid-19 December 15.
Rajasthan| A 73-year-old man who was tested positive for Covid's Omicron strain on Dec 15, died today. Later, he was tested negative two times, so this will not be called a COVID death but a post-Covid death: Dr Dinesh Kharadi, Chief Medical and Health Officer Udaipur Division pic.twitter.com/zK0ES1L9bZ
— ANI (@ANI) December 31, 2021
His samples were then sent for genome sequencing and meanwhile he tested negative for Covid-19 on December 21. On December 25, genome sequencing results confirmed that he was carrying the Omicron variant. He then died on December 31.
3. NEW COVID-19 VARIANT IDENTIFIED IN FRANCE, EXPERTS SAY TOO EARLY TO DETERMINE VARIANT BEHAVIOUR
Scientists have now identified a new strain of the Covid-19 virus in southern France. The virus is temporarily being called 'IHU'. As per a yet-to-be peer-reviewed study supported by the French government, the new variant comes from the B.1.640.2 lineage and is believed to have infected 12 people in France so far. The origin of the virus has been linked to 'travel to African country Cameroon'.
Philippe Colson from IHU Mediterranee Infection, Marseille, France said, "For 12 SARS-CoV-positive patients living in the same geographical area of southeastern France, qPCR testing that screen for variant-associated mutations showed an atypical combination." He also added that "it is too early to speculate on virological, epidemiological or clinical features of this IHU variant based on the 12 cases".
4. ELECTION COMMISSION TO HOLD MEETING DUE TO RISING CASES IN INDIA
Due to the rising Covid-19 cases, particularly of the Omicron variant, the Election Commission will be holding a meeting on January 5 to discuss the door-to-door campaigning and rallies being done ahead of the Assembly polls in five states including Uttar Pradesh.
On January 4, the Election Commission discussed how many polling stations should be established, by increasing their numbers due to Covid-19, and the important rules for duty performed by election officers and employees. The meeting also revolved around vaccination awareness campaigns for voters and the rules to be imposed while voting, and the number of central forces being deployed in poll-bound states.
5. DELHI IMPOSES WEEKEND CURFEW, HEALTH MINISTER SAYS ONLY 300-400 SAMPLES BEING CHECKED FOR OMICRON
Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said on January 5 that the genome sequencing of all Covid samples is not possible as of now and that only 300-400 samples are being sequenced for the detection of the Omicron variant.
Genome sequencing of all Covid samples not possible now, only 300-400 samples being sequenced: Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 5, 2022
Jain also said on January 5, "Delhi is likely to report around 10,000 Covid infections today (January 5), with the daily positivity rate rising to nearly 10%".
Third wave of Covid pandemic has hit Delhi, around 10,000 new cases expected today: City Health Minister Satyendar Jain
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 5, 2022
In lieu with the rising Covid cases, Delhi's weekend curfew has returned, and will be imposed from 10 pm on Friday to 5 am on Monday. The regular night curfew that had been put in place earlier will continue. Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia also asked people on January 4 to not step out of their houses except in the case of a medical emergency. Here is what and who are exempted from the weekend curfew:
- Those engaged in essential and emergency services, based on the production valid identity cards
- Central government officials, those in the autonomous or subordinate government offices and PSUs
- Judges and all judicial officers, staff members of all courts of Delhi as well as advocates and legal counsels
- Employees in the offices of diplomats of various countries as well as persons holding any constitutional post
- Medical personnel such as doctors, nursing staff, paramedics and those engaged in other medical services
- Pregnant women and patients who need to receive medical and health services
- Anyone going to get tested for Covid-19 or to get vaccinated.