Omicron cases rising, first case detected in Delhi and fifth in India

NEW DELHI: A 37-year-old man who arrived in Delhi from Tanzania has tested positive for Omicron, making it first case of the new COVID-19 variant in the national capital, officials said.

The patient is currently admitted at the Lok Nayak Hospital and has mild symptoms, they said.

Twelve samples had been sent to the National Centre for Disease Control. One was found carrying the Omicron variant. The patient is an Indian and had returned from Tanzania a few days ago, the official said.

"The patient's travel history is being collated and contacts being traced," he said.

The first cases of Omicron were reported from Karnataka. The third and the fourth cases of the infection were reported from Gujarat's Jamnagar and Maharashtra's Dombivli yesterday.

The new variant, first detected in South Africa on November 25, has been described as a variant of concern by WHO.