Two Omicron cases reported in India and both are from Karnataka ⁠

• India reports two positive cases of Omicron COVID-19 variant, both in Karnataka, announced the Health Ministry today.
• All their contacts have been identified and they are under monitoring. The protocol is being followed,” said Lav Agarwal, the Joint Secretary at the Union Health Ministry.
• Increased COVID-19 vaccination uptake is the need of the hour, said V K Paul, Member-health of NITI Aayog.

India has detected two positive cases of $4 and both the cases have been confirmed in Karnataka, the home state of India’s technology capital, Bengaluru.

“All their contacts have been identified and they are under monitoring. The protocol is being followed,” said Lav Agarwal, the Joint Secretary at the Union Health Ministry.

The two persons who tested positive were identified as 66-year-old and 46-year-old based in Karnataka.

“We need not panic, but awareness is absolutely essential. COVID-apt behaviour is required,” said Balram Bhargava, Director General of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in a news briefing on December 2.

Agarwal further added, “All Omicron-related cases are found to have mild symptoms so far...In all such cases in the country and across the world so far, no severe symptom has been noted.”

“Increased COVID-19 vaccine uptake is the need of the hour, do not delay in getting fully vaccinated,” said V K Paul, Member-health of NITI Aayog in the same news briefing.

Paul added that the Omicron variant is being carefully examined and decisions will be taken accordingly, in consideration with technical and scientific circles.

The new B.1.1.529 (Omicron strain) is possibly ‘five times’ more infectious, said the government of India.

Total 373 positive cases for Omicron COVID-19 strain have been reported so far in 29 countries in the world, according to the government of India.

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