The country’s COVID-19 count rose to 3,47,79,815 with 7,189 new cases in the last 24 hours, while active cases have declined to 77,032, according to data updated at 8 am.
The number of dead climbed to 4,79,520 with 387 more fatalities, data showed. The daily rise in coronavirus cases has been recorded below 15,000 for the last 58 days now.
The active cases have declined to 77,032 or 0.22 per cent of total infections, the lowest since March 2020, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 98.40 per cent, the highest since March 2020, the Health Ministry said.
India has reported a total of 415 Omicron cases, the Health Ministry said this morning. At least 115 have recovered, it said. Maharashtra has the highest number of Omicron infections with 108, followed by Delhi with 79. Gujarat has 43 cases and Telangana 38. Kerala has a total of 37 Omicron cases, followed by Tamil Nadu with 34. No state in the northeast has reported any Omicron case.
On Friday, the centre had said of 358 cases of Omicron reported till then, 183 were analysed and it was found that 91 of them were fully vaccinated with three having received booster doses while 70 per cent were asymptomatic.
The rise of the Omicron variant has also heralded another pandemic-tinged Christmas for billions across the world, with Santa’s arrival and longed-for family reunions overshadowed by the prospect of yet more COVID-19 restrictions.
Gatherings of five or more will not be allowed in Maharashtra between 9 pm and 6 am, the state government has said. Haryana and Delhi have also tightened restrictions this Christmas, though Delhi has allowed places of worship to remain open.
In light of the rise in COVID-19 cases, the civic body in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad city has identified three micro-containment zones for the first time in over a month, an official said on Saturday. The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) demarcated two areas as micro-containment zones on Thursday and one on Friday, the official said.
Eight houses with 28 residents were demarcated as two micro-containment zones in the city’s northwest and west zones on Thursday, while five more houses with 17 residents in the west zone were added to the list on Friday, he said. Ahmedabad city had on Thursday reported 43 coronavirus positive cases, its highest single-day count in nearly six months, and its first COVID-19 death on Friday after a gap of five months.
Ladakh’s coronavirus caseload increased to 22,059 on Saturday with 23 fresh infections, officials said. Of the new cases, 13 were detected in Leh and 10 in Kargil district, they said. So far, Ladakh has recorded 218 deaths — 160 from Leh and 58 from Kargil. The officials said the number of active coronavirus cases in the union territory stands at 210 — 153 in Leh and 57 in Kargil.
Ten Omicron-infected patients recovered in Telangana and no fresh case of the new coronavirus variant was reported on Friday, the State Health Department said. It said in a bulletin that 15 samples are awaited with regard to their Omicron status.
As on December 22, the total number of Omicron cases reported in the State was 38. Meanwhile, the State reported 162 new COVID-19 cases, pushing the tally to 6,80,413, while the death toll rose to 4,019 with one more fatality.
A junior doctor (Intern)at Calcutta Medical College and Hospital, who has no history of foreign travel, has tested positive for the Omicron variant. He is currently admitted at the Beliaghata ID hospital and his condition is reportedly stable. Bengal health dept authorities are trying to ascertain whether the person came in contact with someone having foreign travel history. The state now has four Omicron cases.
The Delhi government on Friday ordered Sarojini Nagar market to operate on an odd-even basis over the weekend in view of the large footfalls seen at the place in the last few days, amid a spike in COVID19 cases and the threat of Omicron variant. The decision was taken at a meeting of stakeholders of the market. It was also decided that all shopkeepers in the market shall ensure 100 per cent vaccination of their staff in the vaccination camp set up in the market.
Punjab on Friday reported 41 fresh cases of coronavirus, taking the infection tally to 6,04,133, according to a health bulletin. With no COVID-related death reported in the state, the toll remained unchanged at 16,636.
Among the fresh cases, Jalandhar reported 17 cases, followed by five each in Pathankot and Patiala. The number of active cases rose to 335 from 314 on Thursday.
Twenty more people recovered from the infection, taking the number of those who have been cured to 5,87,162, the bulletin stated. Meanwhile, the Union Territory of Chandigarh reported 12 COVID-19 cases, taking the total count to 65,754.
As Omicron cases continue to rise unabated, New York City, Italy, and the UK recorded the biggest one-day increase on record on Friday- 27,053, 50,599, and 1,22,186 respectively. Chile will offer its citizens a fourth coronavirus vaccine dose from February, starting with high-risk categories, President Sebastian Pinera announces.
More about Omicron
The Omicron variant has been called a variant of concern by WHO based on studies that shows it has several mutations.
Still a lot of research is underway to evaluate its transmissibility, severity and reinfection risk.
The Omicron variant has been detected in several regions of the world. WHO reports that the likelihood of the Omicron variant spreading further globally is high.
It is not currently known if the Omicron variant is more or less severe than other strains of COVID-19, including Delta. Studies are ongoing and this information will be updated as it becomes available.
It is not yet clear whether Omicron can spread more easily from person to person compared to other variants, such as Delta.
However, being vaccinated and taking precautions such as avoiding crowded spaces, keeping your distance from others and wearing a mask are critical in helping to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and we know these actions have been effective against other variants.
Researchers are looking into any potential impact the Omicron variant has on the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines. Although information is still limited, WHO believes it is a reasonable assumption that the currently available vaccines offer some protection against severe disease and death.
It is also important to be vaccinated to protect against the other widely circulating variants, such as the Delta one. When it’s your turn, make sure to get vaccinated. If your vaccination involves two doses, it’s important to receive both in order to have the maximum protection.
According to WHO, early evidence suggests that people who have previously had COVID-19 could be reinfected more easily with Omicron, in comparison to other variants of concern. Information is still limited though and we will share updates as it becomes available.
Source: UNICEFRead more Health News
Latest update Omicron
