Delhi Govt: Variant is spreading in community if Omicron patients have no travel history

According to Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain, Omicron is steadily spreading throughout the community, with the new, fast-spreading strain accounting for 46% of the 115 Covid samples studied thus far in the national capital.

"People with no travel history were found infected with Omicron. It means it's gradually spreading in the community," During a press conference on Thursday, Satyendar Jain was quoted by the news agency PTI as saying.

He stated that as part of the COVID-19 Graded Response Action Plan, severe controls have been put in place to prevent the spread of the virus and that the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) would determine whether to impose even more limitations.

Jain stated, "There are 200 coronavirus patients in Delhi hospitals. Genome sequencing of the samples of 115 patients showed 46 percent had Omicron. These people include those who do not have any travel history. It means Omicron is now inside Delhi," Jain said.

"Indeed, the variant is gradually spreading in the community," the minister said.

According to the most recent genome sequencing data, the newly discovered Omicron variation accounts for 46% of the total Covid-19 cases in Delhi.

Even though the city administration opted to keep existing limits under the 'yellow alert' for a while before announcing further measures, Delhi recorded a large increase in daily Covid-19 infections on Wednesday, with 923 new cases, the most since May 30 and 86% higher from the day before.

Night curfews, school and college closures, odd-even system, store openings selling non-essential commodities, and decreased seating capacity in Metro trains and buses are among the restrictions imposed under the 'yellow alert.'