Two new cases of the Omicron variant have been detected in Gujarat, taking the state’s tally to 9, while the nation’s tally has crossed 140.
A 45-year-old NRI and a teenage boy, who recently arrived in Gujarat from the United Kingdom, have been found infected with the Omicron variant of COVID-19, officials said on Sunday. With this, the total number of such cases in the state has gone up to nine.
The NRI (non-resident Indian) tested positive for the coronavirus infection in the RT-PCR test carried out at the Ahmedabad international airport soon after his arrival from the UK on December 15, a health department official said.
"The man's sample was later found infected with the Omicron variant," Anand district health officer Dr M T Chhari said. He was scheduled to reach the state's Anand city from Ahmedabad.
"But, after he tested positive for the coronavirus, he was taken to the Ahmedabad civil hospital from the airport. The patient is currently recovering at the Ahmedabad civil hospital," Dr Chhari said. His co-passengers and other contacts have tested negative for the viral infection, the official said.
On Saturday, a 15-year-old boy from Gandhinagar was also detected with the Omicron variant after returning from the UK, Gandhinagar Municipal Commissioner Dhaval Patel said.
With the new cases of Omicron variant detected in Gujarat, the total number of Omicron cases in the state is now nice, while the total number of Omicron cases across the country has crossed the 140-mark. The highest number of cases of the new variant in India has been reported from Maharashtra.
Not much is known about the Omicron variant of COVID-19 yet but most of the countries have still tightened their international travel guidelines. The international flights in India have also been suspended till January 31 in view of the Omicron scare.
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 "Gujarat records 2 new Omicron cases, India’s total tally crosses 140")
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