Bhubaneswar: India has confirmed it first two Covid-19 cases of the dangerous Omicron variant on Tuesday. Both the cases of the Omicron variant have been detected in Karnataka, the Health Ministry said today. This will be first cases of the mutated coronavirus strain within the country. This has alarmed the citizens of the nation.
According to Health Ministry, both the patients are men, aged 66 and 46 year old. The ministry has not reveal their identities yet as to protect their privacy. The two men were foreign returnees.
The cases were confirmed through through genome sequencing effort of INSACOG consortium of 37 laboratories established by the Ministry of Health.
“Two cases of Omircron detected in Karnataka so far through genome sequencing effort of INSACOG consortium of 37 laboratories established by the Ministry of Health. We need not panic, but awareness is absolutely essential. COVID apt behaviour is required”, said Balram Bhargava, DG ICMR.
Meanwhile, the Director of Public Health, Odisha, Niranjan Mishra has informed that as many as 380 people have returned to the state from countries infected with Omicron variant of Covid.
Reportedly by November 29, around 156 people have arrived in Odisha while on November 28 as many as 224 people returned from the countries infected with Omicron variant of Covid. Even though all of the returnees have been directed to carry Covid negative certificates while travelling, still then they have been advised to undergo quarantine for a period of seven days.
The World Health Organisation has declared the Omicron variant as ‘Variant of Concern’.
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Ms Kalinga