The newly detected Omicron variant, which is showing a great effect in the US and European countries, is gradually increasing in India as well. The number of Omicron cases in the country has risen to 213, Union health ministry data showed on Wednesday.
Maharashtra is on the top with 65 cases, while Delhi is in second place with 57 patients. Till now, 90 patients have been discharged after recovery.
The Omicron spread in the country has worried the Centre, pressing it to ask states to be on guard. “Omicron is at least 3 times more transmissible than Delta. Hence, even greater foresight, data analysis, dynamic decision making & strict & prompt containment action are required at the local & district level,” health secretary Rajesh Bhushan wrote in a letter to states on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, India has registered 6,317 new cases in the last 24 hours, 18.6% higher than the previous day. With this, the total caseload climbed to 3,47,58,481. India’s active caseload now stands at 78,190. As many as 318 deaths were reported in the country in the last 24 hours, increasing the total reported death count to 4,78,325.