Maharashtra reports 8 new cases of Omicron variant

Mumbai: In Maharashtra, eight persons were found to be infected with Omicron variant of Covid 19 yesterday taking the total tally to 40 in the state. Out of the eight infected persons yesterday, six are from Pune and one each from Mumbai and Kalyan Dombivali area.

The samples of the eight persons between the age group of 29 and 45 years with international travel history were taken on first week of December. It said out of eight patients, seven are asymptomatic and one has mild symptoms. Two have been kept in hospital while rest are in home isolation.

All the patients have been vaccinated and the close contacts of these patients are being tracked. Meanwhile, the state government has increased the surveillance of



international passengers wherein a total of 16617 passengers arriving from High-Risk countries of South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe since December 1 have gone through RTPCR test, out of which, 45 samples which were found to be positive were sent for genomic sequencing.

Besides, 2548 passengers from other countries also went through the same test, out of which, 16 were found to be positive and subsequently sent for genomic sequencing.

Additionally, field surveillance of all international passengers who have arrived since November 1 is also underway. Through airport and field surveillance, 525 samples have been sent for genomic sequencing out of results of 79 are still awaited.