The Omicron variant is likely to spread internationally, posing a "very high" global risk where COVID-19 surges could have "severe consequences" in some areas, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Monday, 29 November.
Amid concerns over the emergence of the Omicron variant, a 32-year-old resident of Mumbai's Dombivli, who arrived from South Africa via Delhi on 24 November, tested COVID-positive upon arrival. However, health officials are yet to ascertain if he is infected with the Omicron variant.
Meanwhile, the Union Health Ministry on Sunday, 28 November, revised its guidelines for international arrivals in India. The guidelines, which will be brought into effect on Wednesday, 1 December, mandate submitting 14 days' travel details and uploading a negative RT-PCR test report on the Air Suvidha portal before the journey.
Read the full text of the guidelines here:
(Screenshot Courtesy: www.mohfw.gov.in)
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According to World Health Organization, it is not yet clear whether 'Omicron' is more transmissible or severe compared to Delta
India reported 8,309 new cases, 236 deaths and 9,905 recoveries in the last 24 hours. The active caseload is currently at 1,03,859, the lowest in 544 days
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All Adults in Britain Can Now Take Third COVID Jab
All adults in Britain will now be able to get a third COVID jab, a government scientific advisory body said on Monday, according to news agency AFP.
This now extends the booster shots to adults aged 18 to 39 years old.
No Case of Omicron Variant Detected in India Yet: Official
No case of the new Omicron variant of coronavirus has been detected in India yet, a senior government official said on Monday, according to news agency PTI.
The official said that Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Consortia INSACOG is closely monitoring the situation and expediting the results of genomic analysis of positive samples of international travellers.
No Proposal for Lockdown in State: Karnakata Health Minister
The Karnataka government has ruled out any proposals for imposing a lockdown in the state, Health Minister K Sudhakar said on Monday. Clarifying on speculation over the newly emerged variant, the health minister said that there is no proposal made to the government to impose a lockdown and that people should not spread rumours.
The minister said that contact tracing is underway for all travellers coming from South Africa, where the Omicron variant was first detected, and the travellers are being surveyed and contacts are also being tracked.
Traveller From South Africa Infected With Variant Different From Delta: Karnataka Health Min
Days after two foreign nationals from South Africa tested positive for COVID-19 in Bengaluru upon arrival, Karnataka Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar said that at least one of the two has been affected by “a variant different from the Delta variant”.
Sudhakar said, “I will not comment on the detection of the Omicron variant. We are holding discussions with ICMR and the ministry of health at the Centre. One person who is around 63-year-old has been infected by a variant that is different from the Delta variant. The ICMR has been consulted and we should have clarity by this evening.”
On Friday, authorities had said the two travellers were infected with the Delta variant and not the new Omicron variant reported in South Africa.