Two persons in Karnataka have tested positive forOmicron, the newest variant of Covid-19, after genome sequencing, BalramBhargava, Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), saidhere on Thursday.
Both cases have travel history to South Africa.
"Two cases of Omircron have been detected inKarnataka so far through genome sequencing effort of INSACOG consortium of 37laboratories established by the Ministry of Health. We need not panic, butawareness is absolutely essential. Covid appropriate behaviour isrequired," Bhargava said.
The contacts of the duo who tested positive for thelatest variant have been identified and are under monitoring, he said.
"All Omicron related cases are found to have mildsymptoms so far. No severe symptoms have been noticed in all such cases, bothin the country and abroad. The WHO has said that the virus' emerging evidenceis being studied," said Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary, Union HealthMinistry, adding that around 29 countries across the world have reported 373cases of Omicron so far.
Adressing a press conference on the ongoing Covidsituation, Agrawal said that a surge in cases is being observed across the world,with Europe alone reporting 70 per cent of the cases in the past one week.