Omicron reaches India, two cases detected in Karnataka
Two persons in Karnataka have tested positive for Omicron, the newest variant of Covid-19, after genome sequencing, Balram Bhargava, Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), said here on Thursday.
Both cases have travel history to South Africa.
"Two cases of Omircron have been 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 appropriate behaviour is required," Bhargava said.
The contacts of the duo who tested positive for the latest variant have been identified and are under monitoring, he said.
"All Omicron-related cases are found to have mild symptoms so far. No severe symptoms have been noticed in all such cases, both in the country and abroad. The WHO has said that the virus' emerging evidence is being studied," said Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary, Union Health Ministry, adding that around 29 countries across the world have reported 373 cases of Omicron so far.
Addressing a press conference on the ongoing Covid situation, Agrawal said that a surge in cases is being observed across the world, with Europe alone reporting 70 percent of the cases in the past week.
Omicron cases' infected contacts showing mild symptoms: Karnataka Health Min
Karnataka Health Minister K. Sudhakar on Thursday stated that all five contacts of Omicron infected persons who tested positive for Covid-19 have been isolated and treated at a government hospital.
"I am in constant touch with doctors. There is no problem as such. The patients are not showing any severe symptoms. Only mild symptoms are found and that is solace for us," he added.
However, Sudhakar also underlined that they can't predict the spread of the Omicron virus in the state. "We are not in a position to tell how the spread of the new variant will be," he stated.
Both the infected persons had taken two doses of Covid vaccination, he added.
However, he added: "There is no need to panic as we have observed no severe symptoms associated with Omicron virus. We have seen severe symptoms including breathing issues in the Delta variant. However, no such severe symptoms are found among those affected with Omicron strain in the state. However, precautions should be taken."
Sudhakar noted that the Omicron virus could be detected early because of aggressive testing conducted by health authorities in Karnataka. The primary and secondary contacts of two infected persons were not only found but they were tested and retested. The infected person who went to Dubai used a taxi to reach the Bengaluru airport and authorities have kept complete track of it, he added.