Omicron variant behind surge in Delhi; 4,099 fresh cases in last 24 hours

New Delhi: Delhi reported 4,099 fresh Covid-19 cases and one death in the last 24 hours. The active caseload stands at 10,986 while the positivity rate at 6.46 per cent. On the other hand, Delhi recorded no new Omicron cases for two days and the tally stands at 351.

Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Monday said the latest genome sequencing report showed Covid-19 Omicron variant had been found in 81 per cent of the samples tested and the new variant of concern was the reason behind the surge in Covid cases in the national capital. Also read | Jalandhar’s chess champion takes to Twitter, vents anger against Pargat Singh on sports policy Of the latest 187 Covid samples tested, 152 had (81 per cent) Omicron and 8.5 per cent had Delta, the Delhi Health Minister told the Delhi Assembly. Earlier in the day, Jain had told mediapersons that Omicron accounted for 84 per cent of the latest Covid samples tested.

In view of the rise in Covid19 cases, the biometric attendance for government officials and employees is being suspended with immediate effect, till further orders: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh (file photo) pic.twitter.com/dRJdAKA91h — ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2022

He said though there was a spike in cases, but the situation was under control as not many people were developing severe disease or require hospitalisation, adding that some experts had said the Covid cases would peak in a week, but it’s conjecture. The Delhi Government has already implemented measure of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) after the positivity rate crossed 0.5 per cent and stayed above it for two days. Under this, the national capital was put under yellow alert — the first level or restrictions – which led to night curfew, closing of schools, colleges, movie theatres and gyms. Also read| South Korea confirms first 2 deaths linked to Omicron variant -PTC News