The Union health ministry informed on Thursday that the new Covid-19 variant “Omicron” has entered India and two people from Karnataka tested positive for the deadly variant of coronavirus.
“Two cases of Omicron variant have been reported in the country so far. Both cases are from Karnataka,” Lav Agarwal, joint secretary, Union health ministry, said at a press briefing today.
“All primary contacts and secondary contacts of both the cases have been traced and are being tested,” Agarwal added.
Both the patients who tested positive for cases Omicron variant are said to be foreigners aged 66 and 46. However, the government didn’t disclose their identities to protect their privacy.
Addressing the media, Mr Agarwal said that there is no need to panic about Omicron, but awareness is absolutely essential. He asked everyone to follow Covid appropriate behaviour and avoid gatherings.
The Omicron variant was first detected in southern Africa and since then has spread to 29 countries, the health ministry official told today (India is the 30th country).