Omicron makes its way to India. What we know about the 2 cases from Karnataka

Omicron cases detected in Karnataka: All immediate contacts of the individuals, at risk of being infected with the Covid-19 variant, have already been identified and are currently being monitored.

The Omicron variant of the coronavirus, deemed highly contagious and capable of undergoing frequent mutations, has now made its way to India as the Union health ministry informed on Thursday that two people from Karnataka have tested positive. Speaking on the matter, the health ministry's joint secretary Lav Agarwal told a news briefing that the patients have not reported any severe symptoms so far. Meanwhile, all immediate contacts of the individuals, at risk of being infected with the Covid-19 variant, have already been identified and are currently being monitored, Agarwal added.

Omicron variant of the coronavirus is deemed to be highly contagious and capable of undergoing frequent mutations.  (File Photo)

“All primary contacts and secondary contacts of both the cases have been traced and are being tested,” the health ministry official was quoted as saying.

Agarwal, without divulging additional details about the two cases due to privacy reasons, confirmed that both the Omicron-related cases were found to display mild symptoms so far. “In all such cases in the country and across the world so far, no severe symptom has been noted,” he said, adding, “The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that its emerging evidence is being studied.”

Although no details are currently available on the vaccination status of the individuals who tested positive for the Omicron variant from Karnataka, NITI Aayog member VK Paul – who was also present at the news briefing – urged citizens to not delay their vaccinations. “Increased Covid-19 vaccine uptake is the need of the hour, do not delay in getting fully vaccinated,” the official said.

“The Omicron variant of Covid-19 is being carefully examined,” he added. “We will take decisions on the basis of it as it is an ongoing discussion within our technical and scientific circle.”

Moreover, the health ministry officials confirmed that there are currently no plans of reimposing any nationwide lockdown once again over the emergent variant of the coronavirus. Urging citizens not to panic, they stressed that getting a necessary section of the populace fully vaccinated is the present goal of the government.

Notably, India was set to restart scheduled commercial international flights on December 15, but on Wednesday scrapped that plan and said a resumption date would be announced in due course. The government has advised states to ramp up testing, a week after the health ministry said a recent fall in testing could undermine India's efforts to contain the pandemic.