India on Thursday recorded its first cases of Omicron variant of coronavirus, after two cases were detected in Karnataka, according to the Union Health Ministry.
India is the 30th country in the world to report cases of Omicron variant of COVID-19.
Speaking at a press briefing, Union Home Ministry joint secretary Lav Agarwal said that two males, aged 66 and 46, tested positive for Omicron variant in Karnataka. However, the two patients have not reported any severe symptoms of the new strain so far, Agarwal said.
The joint secretary added that all primary and secondary contacts of the two cases were traced and were being tested.
The Omicron variant was first reported to the World Health Organisation (WHO) in South Africa on November 24 and the second case was reported from Botswana.
On November 26, the WHO announced Omicron as a 'Variant of Concern'. As many as 373 cases of Omicron variant were reported in 29 countries as of December 1.
Meanwhile, India reported 9,765 new cases, pushing the country’s total Covid-19 confirmed caseload to 3,46,06,541. India's COVID-19 active caseload stood at 99,763, while the death toll mounted to 4,69,724 with 477 more deaths, as per Union Health Ministry data.
