Two COVID-19 cases of the Omicron variant have been detected in India, the Health Ministry said on Thursday, in the first confirmation of the coronavirus strain within the country’s borders that has triggered global alarm.
Both the cases have been reported in Karnataka with the patients being two men aged 66 and 46, the Health Ministry said, adding that their identities will not be disclosed for now to protect their privacy.
Due to the emergence of a new COVID-19 variant called ‘Omicron’ the demand has been made said the officials. The Serum Institute of India is the first Indian company to seek approval for the coronavirus booster dose.
Meanwhile, the government in Karnataka is looking for booster shots for the frontline health workers as the third wave fears engulfs the group. Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj Bommai said that he would speak to Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya in Delhi on Thursday about giving booster doses to healthcare workers and frontline workers in the state.
The Centre on Wednesday decided to postpone the resumption of scheduled international flights from December 15 citing “evolving global scenario” in the wake of the Omicron threat. The government will announce a new date later. Announced by Aviation regulator DGCA, the new order, however, won’t affect the current flights that are operating as it is only for the complete resumption that has now been postponed.